Thieves

[tlbuser]

Had to turn around last night to go look for my cellphone. Got back to our site and there was a fuel/lube truck on-site. Problem was, he wasn't the company we use. He was pumping fuel out of our equipment . He was apprehended last night. According to the sheriff's guys diesel fuel theft is way up again. They've been hitting businesses and houses. This was the second job site that they knew of.

 

[LBrown59]

Had to turn around last night to go look for my cellphone. Got back to our site and there was a fuel/lube truck on-site. Problem was, he wasn't the company we use. He was pumping fuel out of our equipment . He was apprehended last night. According to the sheriff's guys diesel fuel theft is way up again. They've been hitting businesses and houses. This was the second job site that they knew of.

A glood reason why I don't like place cards .
No sense assisting the fuel Thieves.

 

[20 20]

maybe he was just taking it to be cleaned, then he was gonna return it?

 

[J_J]

Maybe if he accidentally drank a quart of that stuff he might think seriously about ripping people off.

 

[kthompson]

tl, glad it worked out well for you there. Just wondering was it his company and if not what did they have to say?

 

[Bird]

According to the sheriff's guys diesel fuel theft is way up again.

I guess it may go in cycles to some extent, but I can remember having that same problem in Dallas when I was still pretty much a rookie cop in the mid-60s.

 

[AKfish]

I guess it may go in cycles to some extent, but I can remember having that same problem in Dallas when I was still pretty much a rookie cop in the mid-60s.

The cycle is on the upswing here, too. 'Course diesel is $3.82/gallon. It's more commonplace now than ever to see diesel trucks with in-bed tanks and pumps. And on the other end of the tank is a fill hole or as the case may be; a siphon hole for thieves.

Guy in the Post Office the other day complaining about some kids (young men) prying the cap off his tank in the Safeway parking lot and stealing fuel.

Short days and long nights up here make it easier for no-goods to ply their trade..

AKfish

 

[tlbuser]

maybe he was just taking it to be cleaned, then he was gonna return it?

I like that. Wonder how much he planned to charge me?

 

[tlbuser]

Anyone, including the police that sees a fuel truck sitting next to a piece of equipment is going to think they're refueling it for the next day and think nothing of it. How did you handle the situation when you realized what was going on?

My first thought was to confront the guy, luckily better thoughts kicked in. I got the co. name and tag no. on my drive-by, then went looking for a phone. Found one about 2 miles away ( I went the wrong way, there was one within a mile the other direction) called 911. Before I got back, two deputies were there talking to the guy. As good luck allowed, they were at the other convenience store when I called. The driver was giving the deputies a good song and dance. When I was asked if he had permission to service to my equipment, I think the drivers lightbulb went off, he didn't know it was my fuel he was taking. As close as we can guess, he got 125 gallons out of two machines. Apparenly, that qualifies him for a grand teft charge. The truck was impounded and towed before I left.
My phone was right where I left. Next to the log I was sitting on before I left

 

[bontai_Joe]

Glad to hear that it got resolved peacefully.

 

[CurlyDave]

Glad to hear that it got resolved peacefully.

Well, peacefully is a relative thing.

I bet the guy who went off in a patrol car while his truck was towed off in a different direction didn't feel too peaceful.

Anyway, I wonder if tbluser can find out how much it cost to retrieve the truck from the impound yard? Bet it costs more than 125 gallons of diesel.

 

[tlbuser]

Peaceful yes, that is a good thing. Only adds a loss to the profit column. Apparently the thief did not own the truck but did work for the company.

I was oohing and awwing over the 2005 long nose Pete, 10 wheel w/tag, twin boom wrecker. Even got to sit in the driver's seat and make vroom, vroom noises According to that driver, they have a $500 dollar minimum and 50 per day storage. So, both of the small businessmen will get to take a hit and have to try and recover in court.