Crimes related to gas prices on the rise

In Kalispell, crimes related to the climbing price of gasoline are on the rise.

"It's my belief that a lot of the increased theft we're seeing is due to the higher price of fuel and the higher price of commodities in general," Kalispell Police Chief Roger Nasset said.

Last week, the average price of gas in Montana hovered around the $4-per-gallon mark - a new milestone.

"I think we're really on the forefront of seeing crime related to these high prices, and I expect it'll get a little bit worse before it gets better," Nasset said Monday.

Seventy-seven gas drive-offs (motorists leaving gas pumps without paying) have been reported during the first six months of 2008, down from 104 gas drive-offs reported during the first six months of 2007.

But that statistic is misleading, Nasset said.

"Just looking at those numbers, they misrepresent what's actually going on," he said.

Gas drive-offs in Kalispell started trending upward about a year and a half ago, hitting 228 in 2007. Since then, gas retailers have introduced measures to reduce their losses - including requiring payment before activating the pump, increasing the number of surveillance cameras, and recording license plates when a customer drives up.

Gas stations across the county also have adopted similar security methods, resulting in only a small fluctuation in the number of reported gas drive-offs, Flathead County Undersheriff Pete Wingert said.

"With the increase in the number of convenience stores that are pay before you pump, we're seeing similar numbers [in gas drive-offs] to those in the past," he said.

But even though the number gas drive-offs may be leveling off or falling, other crimes related to the price of fuel, especially petty thefts, are on the rise, Nasset said.

Credit cards, which often are stolen from purses and wallets in vehicles and unlocked homes, are being used at several gas stations within hours of being snatched.

"They're going directly to the gas pump and using the credit card," said Nasset, adding that he believes the cards often are passed among several people before they are even reported missing.

When using a credit card at a gas pump, no ID is required.

"We attempt to go back and look at the surveillance video to identify the people at the pump, but they're pretty cunning about going to stores without cameras," Nasset said.

Thieves also are resorting to siphoning gas from parked vehicles. The number of complaints about siphoned gas during the first six months of 2008 already equals the number of complaints received during all 12 months of 2007.

"We've had reports of entire parking lots being hit," said Nasset, who asked that the public remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior.

While honest mistakes do occur, they account for few of the reported gas drive-offs, according to Nasset. Many of the thefts simply have to do with the status of the economy, he explained.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com