Mayfair in Tampa Palms

Gas Theft and Your License Plate

Jun 07, 2007

Everyone needs to read this. Also, consider buying a gas cap lock. With the prices going up, it's only a matter of time when siphoning gas from tanks is close behind. Remember the 80's !! Coming out to your car to discover your tank is empty ? !



This is true according to Snopes: http://www.snopes.com/autos/theft/gastheft.asp

A woman said her son found his license plate missing so he called the police to file a report. They told him people were stealing the plates to get free gas. Given the rise in gas prices, people have taken to stealing license plates, putting them on their car, then getting gas and running. The gas station will have "your" license plate # and you could be in trouble for "pump and run." Check your car periodically to be sure you still have a plate. If you should find it missing, file a report immediately!!! Keep an eye on your license plate! Make sure you always know it's there! When the license plate is reported as the "drive off vehicle", it's YOU they contact! Be aware!!!! Be aware of your license plates, most of us never look to see if they're there.

Lisa Timmer
Crime Prevention Practitioner
Tampa Police Department
Uniform District Two
9330 N. 30th St
Tampa, Fl. 33612

Phone 813-931-6541
Fax 813-931-6576

Lisa.Timmer@ci.tampa.fl.us