As gas prices in California skyrocket, gas thieves are becoming more prevalent. The cost of fuel set a record this past weekend at an average of $4.614 per gallon. It went up about 13 cents overnight! They are saying it’s due to a refinery fire in Torrance, a refinery shutdown in Northern California and other pipeline problems. Whatever it is, it’s hitting the public hard at a time when many are still out of work or trying to catch up financially.
On Saturday, police in Northern California arrested a man in connection with the theft of about 1,000 gallons of fuel from a Shell station in Roseville. The story is that somehow the pump’s meter was disabled and a man in a black pickup truck pumped about 300 gallons of gas from the pump. Some of the gasoline went into a tank in the bed of the pickup. The same people came back two more times over a 3-day period, each taking another 350 gallons. The broken meter didn’t register that any gas was being pumped. A gas station attendant finally wrote down the license plate number of the suspicious looking vehicle and along with surveillance video, they were able to track down a 32 year old man in connection with the robbery at his parents’ home.
The station lost about $4,500 worth of gasoline and the suspect is now being charged with grand theft. His bail is set at $5,000. Roseville Police are also working with other law enforcement agencies that have recently seen other similar thefts. This major heist comes on the heels of reports that in the previous week, as gas prices were inching up, at least 4 people in the area reported the theft of gasoline from straight out of their vehicles! Apparently, gas thieves have become so desperate that if they can’t open the lock on the gas cap, they just cut right through the fuel filler line and run a hose directly into the gas tank. Needless tosay this causes a great deal of damage and stress to the owners.
If convicted, this offender will hopefully be mandated to take an online Advanced 16 Hour Theft Class to help mend his ways! We all understand that gas prices are astronomical, but this individual will benefit from taking classes by learning empathy. He obviously needs some help with recognizing the feelings of the gasstation owner and how this behavior impacts society around him.
Online Theft classes are perfect for this particular offender who doesn’t seem to have the inclination to actually pay for gasoline. He can stay at home and take a course from any Internet based computer. Online classes will still be as effective as a traditional classroom classes as they use the same current techniques and information to help improve one’s thinking and behavior. Classes are designedby a licensed and practicing psychotherapist who specializes in this treatment. They are an affordable and effective way to meet court requirements so the offender can get back to work and start living a lawful life.
