Charlotte County, FL – March 28, 2022
Thieves may be targeting your fuel and siphoning it directly from your vehicle. Here are a few tips to help keep your vehicle in motion.
- Always park in well-lit locations
- Park in your garage when possible.
- Avoid parking in public places for extended periods of time.
- If you park in a driveway, park as close to your house as possible, ideally in a well-lit area.
- Position your vehicle so the fuel door is seen from a main road.
- Consider installing a locking gas cap, even if your fuel door locks.
- Avoid parking on the side of the road providing easy access to thieves
- Remember to call 911 if you see suspicious behavior, such as someone putting a siphon into a gas tank or acting strangely around parked cars.
It can be tough to determine if your gas has been siphoned. However, drivers should pay close attention to the fuel levels in their vehicle before and after driving. If you do have a locking gas cap, there might be scratches or damage on it where thieves attempted to access your gas.
Some signs you may have been a victim of fuel theft:
1. Odor of gas or diesel near your vehicle
2. Fuel puddled underneath your vehicle
3. Fuel gauge is noticeably lower
4. Vehicle fails to start
“You will always be the experts on what is normal activity within your neighborhood. Be the eyes and ears of our community, not just for yourself, but also for your neighbors,” says Sheriff Bill Prummell. “We have not seen this type of fuel theft here in Charlotte County, however, keeping citizens aware of criminal trends is extremely important to crime prevention,” Prummell adds.
We encourage paying close attention to the activity in your area and to report any suspicious activity to CCSO at 941-639-0013 or 911 in an emergency.
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