Station owners: Gas thefts on rise

TAMPA, Fla., June 1 (UPI) -- Gas station owners in Tampa, Fla., say instances of motorists driving off from the pump without paying are on the rise in these days of high prices.

Many people believe the victims are large oil companies, but it's the owners of the stations who take the hit from so-called "gas and dash" drivers, the Tampa Tribune reported Tuesday.

There is no hard data showing the numbers are up, but the owners say they believe it is.

"If I've got members telling me the rate of drive-offs is up dramatically, well, it's up dramatically," said Jim Smith, head of the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

Liton Saha, manager of an Amoco station in south Tampa, said it happens to him at least twice a week.

"If you turn on the pump, then they fill up and drive off if you're not looking," Saha said.

He said he loses about $200-$300 a week to gas thieves.