A troubling form of fuel theft that leaves car owners with far more than an empty tank is emerging on the streets of Long Beach. Instead of siphoning gasoline through the filler neck, word on the street is that thieves are now drilling directly into fuel tanks, causing severe damage and costly repairs that far outweigh the value of the stolen fuel.
The incident highlighted in newly surfaced footage follows a truck owner, Jose Figueroa, who discovered firsthand how destructive this tactic can be. After filling up his truck on a Sunday, he expected to start the week strong and confident.
By Monday morning, though, that expectation collapsed. His fuel tank was completely drained, but the missing gasoline was only part of the problem.
As he approached his vehicle, Figueroa noticed something unusual. Gasoline was pouring from underneath the truck in a steady stream, resembling water flowing from an open tap. The sound alone can cause a heart attack, but the sight confirmed the damage. Someone had drilled a hole straight through the tank to access the fuel.
A Dime-Sized Hole, A $2,000 Repair Bill
The opening itself was small, roughly the size of a dime, yet the consequences were anything but chicken change. In an attempt to conceal the act or slow the leak, the perpetrators had even placed tape over the hole. That small detail underscored a level of intent that goes beyond opportunistic theft…