With Gas Prices High, Clearwater County Sheriff Warns of Increased Risk for Gas Thefts

Bagley, MN — The price of gas, even though it appears to be dropping in recent days, is still incredibly high and that has law enforcement officials on alert anticipating an increase in gas theft. Clearwater County Sheriff Darin Halverson, a recent guest on the KKCQ Food for Thought Program, says gas thieves most of the time aren’t necessarily looking to resell your fuel, but instead are just desperate to get gas for their own vehicles.

To protect yourself from becoming a victim of gas theft, Sheriff Halverson reminds folks to not leave gas cans in plain view, park in well-lit areas, and utilize security measures for vehicles and equipment that are parked in especially vulnerable areas.

Because newer vehicles are equipped with anti-rollover valves that prevent siphoning, some thieves are now drilling holes in the bottom of gas tanks to steal fuel. Also in Houston, clever thieves in a minivan with a special trap door reportedly stole around 1,000 gallons of diesel directly from the tanks at a gas station over several days.