“Theft has been involved with fuel for as long as retailers have been selling fuel,” said Jeff Lenard, a vice president of the National Association of Convenience Stores in Alexandria, Virginia, but today’s criminals are “trying to steal hundreds, if not thousands, of gallons.” Thieves often use dozens of fraudulent cards at a time, inserting one after another to fill up hidden tanks. One gang used fraudulent credit cards for a month to steal $100,000 in diesel from two stations in central Florida.
In other cases, one thief parks a truck to block the clerk’s view while another pumps diesel directly from an underground tank through a hole in the vehicle’s floorboards, investigators say. Cleanliness reinforces customer trust. Well-maintained restrooms, trash receptacles, and pump areas contribute to a positive reputation and encourage repeat business.
