The simplest way to stop siphoning is with a lockable gas cap, right? Sort of. Sales of locking gas caps have historically risen with the price of gasoline. However, like most theft deterrents, it’s a device that only makes theft less appealing, and doesn’t prevent it entirely. How desperate a crook is depends on how much work he’s willing to put into it.
That locking gas cap may keep your neighbor’s teenager from joyriding on your precious fuel, but someone who is looking to score a large amount of gas from several vehicles in one night will have tools to get around it, including everything from tools to pry or crack the cap off which may result in damage to your vehicle, to having spare or blank keys that will jimmy the lock open.
Unfortunately, locking gas caps are not the most technically advanced key-locks on the market. I have had several over the years and found at least three of them to be interchangeable with a little wiggling and a bit of force. But they do help.
Holy Gas Tanks!
Stories are popping up all over the news about gas hungry thieves running into locking gas caps, impassible fuel neck devices or both and taking their need for petrol to all new lows – the bottom of your gas tank. More and more people are finding themselves victim to gasoline theft by having their fuel tanks punctured with a sharp implement and drained from underneath the vehicle. It’s quick, it’s easy, and they probably didn’t come with a 22 gallon gas can, so it’s also messy – as whatever they don’t steal will end up all over your driveway.
I had a custom gas tank built once that was so solid and thick that it doubled as a skid plate and could be used as a jacking point. I always thought, “There’s no way these punks are poking through this.” But remember, crooks aren’t noted for their academic achievements. Some are outright dumb enough to bring drills. Hot metal, flammable liquids, friction, sparks from electric motors – not the best combination – but some are just too stupid to know better, or just don’t care. It just shows how desperate times are. If there’s a will, there’s a way. No gas tank is safe.
