Gas Thieves Suspected in U-Haul Explosion

RIVERSIDE — Authorities believe gasoline thieves are behind an explosion at a U-Haul lot in Cathedral City.

…Firefighters found telltale signs of gas siphoning, which included cut-off sections of garden hoses that were left in the tanks of three trucks, according to Cathedral City Fire Chief Mike Hatfield. Gas caps had also been removed from six other trucks – all of which had been drained of fuel, Hatfield added.


…Investigators say fuel siphoning is an increasingly common crime in the Inland Empire. Truck rental companies are especially vulnerable because vehicles are often left on lots unattended at night.

“If they leave a vehicle on the lot with any amount of fuel in it, it’s susceptible to being siphoned,” Hatfield said.

KTLA