Is no gas tank safe? Rising prices prompt increased theft

Sky-high fuel prices are spawning an uptick in sales of locking gas caps amid scattered reports of siphoning thefts around the nation.

AutoZone, the nation’s largest auto parts chain, sold more than 10,000 locking gas caps last week, up more than 60% over a typical week. “That was a pretty big spike,” says AutoZone spokesman Ray Pohlman.
Pep Boys, another large chain, reports locking gas cap sales are running about 5% higher than last year. Advance Auto Parts, with 2,700 stores, says sales are up, too. The upsurge comes amid reports of thieves trying to tap into motorists’ gas tanks around the country now that a fill-up can cost $50 or more. Gas hit a new nominal record Monday of an average $2.61 a gallon for regular in the latest government survey. Diesel fuel averaged $2.58 a gallon; more than $3 in California.

Where fuel rustlers have struck:

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