Spike in gas prices fuels Twin Cities tank-drilling thefts
Across the Twin Cities, thieves are puncturing vehicle fuel tanks with electric drills and draining gasoline from parked trucks as gas prices climb, police say.[1]
Owners face repair bills that often run into the hundreds or thousands of dollars, and police warn many incidents probably go unreported.[1]
St. Paul police have logged seven drilled gas-tank thefts in the last six weeks, and Minneapolis police are investigating at least 12 such cases since the start of the year.[1] Thieves are using electric drills to puncture tanks, primarily on higher-clearance trucks parked on city streets at night, and then draining fuel into containers.[1]
Gas prices across the Twin Cities have topped $4 per gallon, and police link that rise to the uptick in fuel-theft reports.[1] Higher pump prices raise the value of stolen fuel and leave older, higher-clearance pickups as easy targets, making the problem more costly for owners and harder for police to fully track.
Police urge vehicle owners to be vigilant, report suspicious activity, and consider parking in garages or well-lit areas when possible.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- St. Paul police have logged 7 drilled gas-tank thefts in the last 6 weeks, and Minneapolis police are investigating at least 12 such cases since the start of the year.
- Thieves use electric drills to puncture fuel tanks, primarily on higher-clearance trucks parked on city streets at night, then drain the gasoline into containers.
- Repair bills from these attacks are typically hundreds to thousands of dollars per vehicle, and authorities say incidents are likely underreported as gas prices across the Twin Cities exceed $4 per gallon.
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