Here’s something I just got in an email.
I never gave this much thought, but I certainly can see it happening.

Just something I thought I’d pass along here.

According to the police:
Given the rise in gas prices, people have taken to stealing license plates, putting them on their car, then getting gas and running. The gas station will have YOUR license plate # and you could be in trouble for "pump and run." Check your car periodically to be sure you still have a plate. If you should find it missing, file a report immediately. Keep an eye on your license plate. Make sure you always know it's there. When the license plate is reported as the "drive off vehicle", it's YOU they contact. Be aware of your license plates, most of us never look to see if the plates are there or not.

If it were to happen, I guess we’ll hope for a video camera catching it all on tape.

But then, anyone rash enough to do this, will seek out stations without cameras I’d imagine.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

There was an instance locally where a 'group/gang/whatever' of 12 just out of high school for the summer thugs ran around and did this. Three of them got caught in the act and gave up the rest.

Municipal laws in D/FW require attendants to collect for purchase PRIOR to initiating the pump. So the "pump and run" scams aren't too prevalent here but for some fringe areas.

The stuff i've read regarding drilling holes in gas tanks and disconnecting fuel lines is pretty interesting, as far as how widespread this will be. I guess siphoning is tougher to achieve on newer vehicles.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Interesting. I did not know this.

The Valero we go to when we are down there (N. FW area), has a button on the pump that says "Pay Inside". That's the one we use most, and we always pay after we pump the fuel. So, maybe they don't know about it either.
Or, I guess maybe it's different for different municipalities.

I have seen plenty "Pay Before You Pump" signs here and there.

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

I had a friend that did a pump run in College Station for some stupid reason. The next day I went there and the pump was prepay only after that. Also make sure to get a reciept for your gas. I swiped my card on the way back from the coast and went inside while it pumped gas. When I came back, it stopped at 10 dollars even. I knew it needed more so I reswiped my card and filled up the rest and drove off. Two or more miles down the road I got pulled over by a State Trooper claiming I stole gas. 10 dollars worth. I told him what happened and he asked to see my reciept and I didnt have it. He told me to turn around and go back to the station, but halfway back he told me not to worry about it on his PA. I guess the clerk realized she pre-paid the wrong pump and I got the 10 bucks free gas. I coulda went to jail for 10 dollars in gas! I got lucky.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

I'm welding my tags on.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Several months ago someone tried to steal my license plate. I am not sure if it had anything to do with stealing gas. Daily driver 1970 220D antique plate. 1 screw missing and the others loose. If you do not hold the nuts from in side the trunk they will never fully unscrew.

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1976 240D
1976 240D parts car
1970 220D daily driver

Hah! Every 220D I ever owned vibrated ALL the bolts, screws and nuts loose!

Most pumps now have a deal where if you don't use debit, you have to enter the billing adress zip code number for the pump to work.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

Come on people, unless the thief has the same car as you do, it will be easy to prove it was not you when they look up the tag.

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MB-less

Exactly, however in a lot of tough areas the cops just have given up. They do have fun with them though.


I remember a cop was joking with my dad, they were on a jobsite in a crappy area and needed to clear part of the street of parked cars, about 8. The cop was like you want to bet how many of those plates don't belong to the car that they are on? He went away to his car and came back, 5.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Come on Emmerich, unless the "kid" working the counter is just looking at the plate as they drive off, getting it down, and not the details of the car it's on.

(If someone has committed a criminal offense and is speeding off in an automobile, what's the one thing most everyone that’s a witness is going to focus on getting? The plate. That’s why I mentioned the cameras.)

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1980 300D - Veggie Burner !

looks like I will be going to my local fasnter house to get some stainless steel torx head bolts for my new license plate.. What is the thread and etc for the plate holder.