UNIONTOWN, Pa. -- Pennsylvania State Senator Richard A. Kasunic (D) has introduced legislation that would toughen penalties against those who fill up and drive off from a gas station without paying.
As gasoline prices continue to go up, this kind of theft is becoming a bigger problem, Kasunic said. It hurts station owners, and ultimately hurts law abiding motorists who have to pay higher prices at the pump to make up for what these thieves are stealing.
The National Association on Convenience Stores (NACS) estimated that Pennsylvania's [image-nocss] approximately 3,000 stations lose more than $6 million per year to driveoff theft. Nationwide, even though more gas stations and convenience stores only offer pre-pay pumps, gasoline theft skyrocketed by 27% between 2004 and 2005.
Kasunic's proposal (Senate Bill 1294) would enable a court to suspend a driver's license for 30 days if he or she is convicted of retail theft of motor fuel. The thief could also be socked with a fine of up to $250. His bill would also increase the license suspension to 60 days for the second offense, and a year for a third or subsequent offense.
Currently, a driveoff thief's license cannot be suspended on the first or second offense, and only for 30 days upon the third conviction.
People need to remember that when you are stealing gas, you're not stealing from a wealthy oil company, Kasunic said. Instead, you are stealing from a small gas station owner who only makes pennies on the gallon.
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