With gas prices hitting the $1.50 per litre mark, Langley RCMP are seeing an increase in gas thefts, but one type of thievery could cost lives, said Cpl. Patrick Davies.
Since May 24, there have been around a dozen separate cases of gas theft, most involve siphoning gas from vehicles. But more than six cases, in Willoughby, Willowbrook and another further south in Walnut Grove involve someone drilling a hole into a gas tank.
Getting underneath a vehicle and drilling holes into a metal gas tank could cause a spark and start a fire or an explosion, points out Davies. The potential for danger is high and for the little amount of gas that can be taken, it can’t be worth risking life and limb, he said.
Plus, the cost to replace a gas tank for the vehicle owner can be more than $500.
Other thefts in Langley have involved siphoning from cars, trucks and construction site machinery.
The last time gas prices skyrocketed like this was in 2008. Police across the Lower Mainland noticed an increase in gas theft then too.