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Metropolis Reality Forums Ť Rising gasoline prices spur thefts, violence ť

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   Rising gasoline prices spur thefts, violence

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Topic: Rising gasoline prices spur thefts, violence (Read 248 times)

lakelady
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Rising gasoline prices spur thefts, violence
« on: Aug 23^rd, 2005, 9:17am »

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Rising gasoline prices spur thefts, violence
Many station owners switching to prepay policy to deter crime

Updated: 9:21 a.m. ET Aug. 23, 2005

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - The death of an Alabama service station owner illustrates the point that a gasoline industry group makes over and over to its members: Losing money during a drive-off isnt worth losing your life.

Husain Tony Caddi, 54, died Friday after being run over by a driver who police believe wasnt going to pay for $52 worth of fuel. Police are searching for the driver of the gold or tan Jeep-style SUV.

With gasoline prices soaring, industry experts predict the number of drive-offs and violence will increase.

Its a very difficult situation, and youre never sure how people are going to react, said Sam Turner, president of Calfee Co. of Dalton, Ga., which operates 114 Favorite Markets convenience stores in the South.

Average price of a gallon of gas tops $2.60

Its something on everybodys mind right now because its a commodity that virtually everybody uses. Youre talking about a heck of an impact to their billfold.

The Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama tells gas retailers to never take action themselves during robberies and drive-offs, said Arleen Alexander, the groups executive director.

But I can understand why someone would want to fight for their property, Alexander said. Fifty-two dollars doesnt sound like that much, but with the little theyre making these days thats a lot.

On average, one in every 1,100 fill-ups was a gas theft last year, the National Association of Convenience Stores said. With about a penny per gallon as profit, a retailer would have to sell an extra 3,000 gallons to offset each $30 stolen, said Jeff Lenard, a spokesman for the group. Caddi would have had to pump an extra 5,200 gallons to make up for the $52 drive-off.

Gasoline theft cost retailers nationwide $237 million in 2004 more than twice the $112 million loss in 2003, according to NACS. Gas prices have jumped this summer by as much as 18 cents to an average of $2.55 a gallon nationally.

As the price of gas climbs, peoples values decline, Lenard said.

Lenard and Turner said safety and theft concerns have pushed most gas stations in the region to shift to a prepay policy, but even that is not a perfect solution. A prepay policy cuts down on browsing and buying in gas station stores a big chunk of owners profits.

Were in uncharted territory. Were seeing more people going to prepay than ever before, Lenard said. I think well look back on 2005 and say, Remember when we used to be trusted to pay for our gas?

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luci
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Re: Rising gasoline prices spur thefts, violence
« Reply #1 on: Aug 23^rd, 2005, 9:29am »

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I heard about this on the news. How ridiculous!

What boils my blood about the gas prices is that I
KNOW we are NOT in a gas shortage!

For those who remember the 70's and the so called gas shortage then, I can tell you for a FACT, there was NO gas shortage, period! Just a reason to drive the prices up!

My husband (now deceased) was a Distributor for an oil company. We made more money during the "gas shortage" months than all that year!

I say if there's a TRUE shortage, open up the wells
that are just sitting with oil under them waiting
to pump again!

gas shortage, pfffft Angry