Stolen Plates = Free Gas

[WVOtoGO]

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.

[John Doe]

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.

[G-Benz]

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.

[WVOtoGO]

Originally Posted by G-Benz

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.

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.

[E150GT]

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.

[Mistress]

I'm welding my tags on.

[Kpmurphy]

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.

[Jim B.]

Originally Posted by Mistress

I'm welding my tags on.

Perhaps that's too drastic.

Might be enough to just squirt a lot of Gorilla glue over the tops of the license plate bolts.


They do take the license plates sometimes. I used to have one on the front of the car I had bought in Tucson.

It had a picture of a thunderbolt with the legend "HERE COMES TROUBLE"

....lasted less than a week in San Francisco, and it got stolen. Bracket, license frame from the dealer, everything.....



I have a different one now and a different car too. It says "BAD TO THE BONE" and maybe it will get stolen too.....

Most all places are "pay to pump" or credit card purchases so pump and runs are really a thing of the past unless you use a stolen credit card or counterfeit cash.

I can't think of a single place in a very long time that still allows you to pump without without paying first.

[Hatterasguy]

In the crap areas around here they tape the plates on the inside of the windsheilds. The home boys and illegal Mexicans steal them to use them on other cars. Lots of stolen plates on the wrong cars in the Havens and Bridgeport.

Stealing gas would be kind of hard, I can't even think of a station that lets you pump before you pay.

[TheDon]

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.

[Mike D]

Originally Posted by Kpmurphy

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.

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

[E150GT]

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.

[Emmerich]

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.

[Hatterasguy]

Originally Posted by Emmerich

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.

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.