Shocking footage shows the moment a gas thief suspect caught on fire as he was allegedly attempting to drill a hole in a truck’s fuel tank outside a Salt Lake City small business.
KSL TV reported the incident happened June 11, at 10:00 AM, in front Summit Fire and Protection. The company’s truck already had its fuel tank siphoned and catalytic converter stolen before the suspect arrived. Unknown if this was the same person who stole the fuel tank from the truck before the suspect arrived.
Surveillance footage captured the suspect under the car while an alleged accomplice was sitting nearby in a pickup truck.
After the man’s shirt caught on fire, he frantically came out from underneath the truck to stop, drop, and roll, the video shows. Following the apparent extinguishment of the flames, an alleged accomplice pulled alongside the suspect and climbed in. The pair then drove off.
Travis Mills, who is a branch manager of Summit Fire and Protection, told KSL TV that as the thief’s attempts to siphon the gas failed, he attempted to “drill the gas tank,”He was able to light the fire.
“The reason why he’s fleeing is that, if there were more gas in it than a gallon, this thing would have absolutely turned into a bomb,” Mills said. “It’s sad because times are tough for a lot of people, but it’s not worth the $5 that he would have saved for the the [sic] injury that the guy sustained.”
Mills told the outlet also that his company has a $30,000 security camera because many catalytic converters were stolen from vehicles in other smash-and grab thefts.
Tony Allred is the division chief for Fire Prevention at the Salt Lake City Fire Department. He told KSL TV not to attempt drilling into gas tanks. His hazmat team does this only in emergencies and with proper precautions.
“The drill, the drill bit, or even static electricity could spark an explosion,”Notification of the outlet
“It’s just extraordinarily dangerous for the person stealing the gas for a very low return,”Allred stated.
Breitbart News reported that gas theft is a widespread problem in the United States due to rising fuel costs.
A gasoline priceboard is displayed at a Menlo Park gas station on March 21st, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu File).
California police released surveillance footage this week of thieves who were alleged to be drilling into a gasoline tank.
Two men wanted by Florida authorities earlier this month were sought out. “stole almost 1,100 gallons of fuel from a Florida gas station.”
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), gas prices are currently at $5.00. This has been above $5.00 seven days in a row.
Follow Ethan Letkeman via Twitter @EthanLetkeman.
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