As fuel prices hit a national average of $4.31 per gallon, one family-owned fueling station in Texas reports that their establishment was robbed of more than 1,000 gallons of diesel fuel.
The Fuqua Express gas station manager in Houston, Jerry Thayil, first noticed a diesel fuel discrepancy of about 360 gallons. The following day, Thayil, whose father owns the business, encountered another discrepancy, so he pulled security camera footage for the two days in question.
On the security footage, Thayil saw two minivans parked suspiciously over the inlets of the station’s diesel fuel tanks, but no one exited the vehicles.
Instead, Thayil observed that the people inside the van lowered a hose via a trap door in the minivan floor. Aside from the driver, Thayil believes there is at least one other person involved in the scheme.
The gas station manager began to watch for the minivans, determined to stop them during their next visit. According to Thayil, they cost the Fuqua Express between $1,200 to $1,300 each time they steal fuel.
When the minivan of diesel thieves returned, Thayil chased the van away.
“We’re a family-owned business, so every penny counts around here,” he told CNN.
The Fuqua Express manager reports that the station has lost approximately $5,000 to $6,000 worth of fuel. He added the company is in talks with its insurer to see if at least some of the loss can be recouped.
The Houston Police Department is investigating the thefts; however, these are not the only incidents reported in the Houston area.
Houston PD said they have learned of at least two similar thefts within the last six months. The department did not confirm whether the incidents were related and stated that there is no other information available at this time.
Gas prices have surged in the last year, even before the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Between January 2021 and December 2021, gas prices had risen by 58.7%. While $4.31 is the national average, cities in California are now paying $7 per gallon.
Oil finally traded lower this week, falling to just under $100 per barrel. Last week, the price for a barrel of crude oil had reached nearly $140 per barrel, though it has since lowered.
