New Jersey gas station keeps price at $3.98, despite $1.79 price across the street

VOORHEES, N.J., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Residents of a New Jersey town are questioning why a gas station is charging $3.98 per gallon while other area stations -- including one across the street -- price gas at $1.79.

The Lukoil station in Voorhees has kept the $3.98 price since at least August, despite stations including the Citgo located directly across the street selling regular unleaded for $1.79 per gallon.

The Lukoil station, which offers super unleaded for $4.59, previously came under fire last year and in 2013 for being the most expensive gas station at $3.98. It was unclear whether the prices have changed at all at the station during the past two years.

"How many people is this guy going to rip off and get away with it?" resident Jeff Pettit told WPVI-TV. Petit said his teenaged son recently spent $65 on 12 gallons at the station.

"Stop ripping people off, that's what I want. It's not right what he's doing. People are working hard today and if gas over there is $1.79, this guy is $4.69? Come on," Pettit said.

Petit identified Tony Caprio as the owner of the gas station, but Caprio said he is not in charge of setting the prices.

"I don't make the gas prices, my boss does. You know what? Ask him," Caprio said.

A Lukoil spokesman appeared to confirm Caprio owns the station and said officials are currently in litigation to strip him of the franchise after numerous complaints.