Gasoline Theft Scam Targets Customers

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) - Most service station gasoline thefts are costly to the station owner. One scam that may be on the rise hits consumers.

Ron Stout, a retired police officer and the law enforcement liaison for LoJack, said the spike in gasoline prices is making some people more desperate. Stout says it is common for thieves to watch for customers who go into the convenience store when filling their vehicles. The thief will then take the nozzle out and pump gas into their own vehicle. Stout says often the real customer doesn't even notice the higher number of gallons and the higher price they have just paid.

Sayed Aslam Ali, the owner of International Shell on Franconia Road says he has seen this scam many times. It is one of the reasons he has 9 security cameras trained on the pumps.