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photo by Steve VanGunda
Sonya Mars pumps gas after pre-paying Thursday night. Area gas stations have begun requiring payment before pumping due to high rates of gas drive-offs.
High gas prices lead to high crime rates in gas drive-offs
Published Friday, June 20, 2008
NATCHEZ — As gas prices have risen, so has the frequency of gas drive-offs, Natchez Police Department Sgt. Craig Godbold said.
“When it started hitting $3 a gallon is when it started picking up,” Godbold said.
Now that gas prices have risen even higher, Godbold said that some people cannot resist the temptation to steal.
“(They) just pump the gas and go and hope (they) don’t get caught,” he said.
However, some gas stations are trying to make sure that these thieves do get caught.
Many stores are improving their video camera systems to spot the license plates of people who pump without paying.
“If we get your tag number we will come and get you,” Godbold said.
Other stores are switching to a pay before you pump policy, which has cut out all gas thefts for the Exxon station at the intersection of U.S. 61 North and Morgantown Road, said Nellie Terrell, an employee.
“We’ve got the prepay signs out there on each pump,” she said. “Some of them might give you $100 and when they get through pumping they come back in and get their change.”
Carla Felter, a manager of B-Kwik Food Mart at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Homochitto Street — which does not have a pay at the pump — set up said they had two drive-offs last week, one for $10 and one for $60.
“Some times they won’t hang up the nozzle so we won’t hear the beep because when we hear the beep that’s how we know to look for them,” Felter said.
She said that until the station gets a better camera system they have to keep a close eye out for people trying to steal gas.
Comments
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They said that "some people can't resist the temptation to steal". I guess the devil made them do it. These guys have a conscious and they know it is wrong to steal. I am shocked when I hear higher crime rates being blamed on the economy. It's just an excuse to me. Wrong is wrong and these people need to pay for their crimes.
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 12:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's right swapmeet....
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 2:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Just keep letting them steal,don,t lock them up for a year,no probations or take their license for 5 years and a %500.00 fine. We see the same shoplifters in the paper all the time,they pay a little fine and go right back to thieving,i,m not sure they even pay the fine,who knows around here.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 2:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They will only get worse because there is very little punishment to fit the crime,they will be out before you can get to the insurance company to fill a claim of what they stole from you.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The judges who let them go,should serve a mandatory sentence in their place. That might slow things down for a little while.
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 2:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you have a paying job or any thing of worth and get caught stealing you will pay dearly.
Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 2:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Some of the larger stations could maybe employ some people to work on a part time basis for minimum wage to be out there at the pumps to document every tag number/pump #/time and amount owed after pumping as a deterant for drive offs. The smaller stations can continue to insist on collecting money before gas can be pumped. People will not drive off if they know that their tag number has been recorded.
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 2:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the carla just gave out too much info on how to steal from them. I mean, their cameras arent good...she said they dont hang up the pump so they dont hear the beep whicjh makes them look for the customer, sadly she just invited theives.
I hope they do the PAY FIRST thing for sure now.
Posted by msubulldog (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 5 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Go back to the full service gas station like the old days.
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep an eye on your license plates. Some thieves are stealing license plates, putting them on their cars, and then stealing the gas.
Posted by childofgod (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with the fact that too much information is now given to those that wonder just 'how' are people stealing the gas. (Not hanging up the pump) Everything stated should not always be printed. But, these people should receive just what they deserve.
Posted by lilbit (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great way to let others know how its done
Posted by ncogg (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
gAS DRIVE-OFFS ARE EVERYWHERE NOW. IN THE TOWN WHERE I LIVE. THE GAS STATION CLERKS HAVE A DONATION JAR SET UP FOR YOU TO HELP PAY FOR THE GAS DRIVE-OFFS. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT AIN'T WORKING. THE ONLY THING THE JARS HAVE COLLECTED IS DUST!!!
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on June 20, 2008 at 9:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think its Carla's fault. I think the blame should be placed on the Democrat for printing it..
Posted by sassygirl (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you think it's bad now just wait closer to the end of the year. Not only is gas high now but it will get higher along with,food, and other househould supplies like washing powder,toilet paper and ect. it has gone up already and getting higher. So you can expect to see more crimes like theft because people can't afford to buy food and gas. Somebody needs to step up to the plate and make a stand for the American people that are suffering and losing everything they have because of this sad economie that our law makers want do anything about.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The last couple of years that I have stopped to fill up the old gas tank, I've always had to pay first prior to filling up. What gas stations still allow the pump first procedure? Could be an inside source as well, since every gas station I've been to has the prepay signs on the pumps.
Posted by daddysgirl (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Most gas stations that are pre-pay won't even allow you to pump the gas until you pay...and then it stops at whatever amount you pay the cashier. So, if your station isn't doing this...then it's your own fault.
As long as Natchez has the highest gas in Mississippi along with the lowest pay scales, then people will continue to attempt whatever they can to steal gas. I'm not saying it's right, but what the hell? Why can the gas station owners in Natchez control the price of gas the way they do here and price gouge the citizens and tourists?
It's ridiculous and they should be cited for doing what they've been doing for years.
Posted by elvisss (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The thieves already know how to steal. If they don't, they ask their thieving friends how. Thieves most likely do not peruse the Natchez Democrat for tips on how to steal gas. The only people who are surprised about the published methods here are the honest folks.
So lay off the author of this article. He only published what the thieves already know.
Posted by ohhappyday (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 10:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I quit filling my truck up with gas.
I am afraid that people are going to start stealing it out of parked cars. .. If isn't full then they wont get very much.....
Posted by natchezsouthside (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 10:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
just shoot them.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ohhappyday, we had people stealing gas from out church van, so our driver has to park the van close to the brick column to keep them from opening it.
I assure you all as the prices of gas, and everything, rise there is a lot more that's going to happen. I can see a lot of trouble ahead.
Posted by ncogg (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 11:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
stealing gas from the church van...you going to hell on full scholarship wearing gasoline thongs.
Posted by destiny (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Twenty yrs ago my gas gage was broken. I would put a few gallons in each day but still run out of gas on the way to work. Making the story short, I finally got smart and invested in a lock type gas cap. The problem stopped. After so long a time, I could fill up my tank and know it was safe to do so. Gas was less than 2 dol. then. Scummy thieves are gonna steal regardless. It's their way of life. They lay awake at nite figuring out new ways to steal.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My son-in-law in Texas recently had someone puncture his diesel tank on his work truck and take all the fuel. This was while it was parked at his house and they were on a trip out of town. And nobody saw a thing.
Posted by lowrider (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I forgot where this occured at but, thieves would approach a car and if it had a locked cap on it they would cut the actual fuel line going into the tank and insert a hose to siphon the gas out, I believe this occured in McComb.
Posted by Hambone (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lowrider, that happened to a friend of mine while his truck was parked in my driveway late one night (about 10 milws north of Ntz). Cost him the money to fix the fuel line and the gas...dumb@$$ crooks would have looked in the back of his truck he had 5 gallon can of gas in the back, and I had 10 gallons of gas under the carport he was parked beside. I have since installed motion detection lighting...no more trouble.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Daddysgirl, I agree, pay before you pump should stop this foolishness. Just shut the pumps off and don't turn them on unless a credit/debit card has been approved or the customer comes in and pays. Leaving the pumps open is just asking for it now-a-days. Most gas stations don't pay full time employees much so how they are going to hire folk to just take down tag numbers as people drive up is not within reason. Also, I don't want my tag number written down just because I am getting gas. I am not a thief and I can, have and will pay for my own gas!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
True teach4peace...
Posted by Swapmeet (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Posted by sassygirl (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"If you think it's bad now just wait closer to the end of the year. Not only is gas high now but it will get higher along with,food, and other househould supplies like washing powder,toilet paper and ect. it has gone up already and getting higher. So you can expect to see more crimes like theft because people can't afford to buy food and gas. Somebody needs to step up to the plate and make a stand for the American people that are suffering and losing everything they have because of this sad economie that our law makers want do anything about."
I am having it as hard as many others, but I have enough moral fiber in me to not steal. As much junk as I see being bought with food stamps on a daily basis, I know that people aren't starving. Being a thief is a lifestyle not born out of necessity.
Posted by generoberts (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 5:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY!!!
"Malcolm X"
Posted by texasranger (anonymous) on June 20, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The nits,no-pays,wont work,never will work,dropping babies like rats and the immigrants are never worried. We will take care of all of them,when they cut our lights off,theirs will still be burning and they will keep getting food stamps..The average illegal immigrant earns a gross income of $19,566 (Passel). A family with
two incomes, mother and father has an average annual combined annual income of
$39,132 or $3,261 per month.
Estimated monthly income and expense for a two parent and three children
household no home mortgage deductions
Income (monthly) $ 3,261
Expenses (monthly)
Rent $ 500
Food $ 1,500
Clothing $ 100
Gasoline for the Car $ 120
Utilities (Gas, Electric, Water) $ 300
Telephone $ 50
Taxes
State $ -0-
Federal $ -133
Total Expenses $ 2,437
Balance at Months End $ 824
Note: Does not include health, car, disability, or life insurance. Does not include auto
repairs, recreation/vacation or retirement savings.
-133-133
Posted by landrumsj (Sharon Landrum) on June 20, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
In some states the cities are passing ordinances/laws requiring the pre-pay use of a credit card/debit card or pre cash payment before the pumps can be authorized for use. If stations are found not abiding by the ordinance/law they can be fined up to $500 for each incident. This has stopped drive offs and freed up officers to do their jobs; because they are not having to spend valuable time trying to search for a drive off and having to file paperwork. Maybe Natchez should pass this law.
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