Record-breaking gas prices means a rise in gasoline theft from area vehicles across the Valley.
Luckily, according to the Queen Creek Police Department, there have been no reported thefts to date within the town limits.
"Although we have not seen these problems in Queen Creek to date, we want all residents to pay close attention to their vehicles," said Police Chief Randy Brice. "As prices continue to rise, would-be thieves are doing more than just siphoning gas. They have resorted to drilling holes in the tank. This leads to extensive costly repairs."
AAA Arizona suggests drivers take the following measures to protect themselves and their vehicles against gas theft:
- Park in the garage at your home if you have one.
- When out in public, park in a well-lit area with high traffic. If possible, park in a secure location like a fenced-in lot or parking garage.
- When parking in a garage, find a spot near the exit or elevator as those have the most visibility and foot traffic.
A driver who suspects they’ve been a victim of fuel theft should look for the following signs:
- The smell of gas as you approach your vehicle.
- Puddle underneath your vehicle near the location of the fuel tank.
- The vehicle does not start.
- The vehicle starts but the fuel gauge shows lower than it was when you last drove and/or the check engine light (yellow) is illuminated.
Once a driver confirms their vehicle has been tampered with, you should:
- Contact the police to file a report.
- Reach out to your insurance agent to see if your policy covers related repairs.
- Take your vehicle to a trusted repair facility as soon as possible.
- Fuel tank repairs can cost as much as $1,000 to replace.
