Higher Gas Prices Mean More Gas Thefts

[Photo of gas station from wikipedia]

Did you read the news reports about the gas thieves in Tampa, Florida?  According to reports, the thieves rigged a van with a special, extra large tank to hold the gas which they intended to steal from a Tampa service station.  Fortunately, they were stopped, but not before a lot the the gasoline spilled.

It appears that such scenes are a sign of the times.  As gas prices go up again, the problem of gas station drive-offs and other gas thefts will also undoubtedly increase.  What will gas thieves do if the price of gasoline reaches $5.00 per gallon, as some experts have recently predicted?

It's not just the gas stations which should be on alert!  In Augusta, Georgia, we have had a problem with gas thieves driving through neighborhoods and siphoning gas from parked cars!  I have even been a victim of this nefarious crime myself!

How about you?  Have you, or anyone you know, been a victim of gasoline theft?  Of course, as convenience stores and other service stations continue to become crime victims, then we all become victims, as the costs are passed on to consumers!

The Costs of White Collar Crime: The Case of the Stolen Prosthetic Legs

[Photo of prosthetic legs from wikipedia]

One of the themes of this blog is that white collar crime can be as costly, (or even more costly, in some cases), as violent, street crime.  As an example, consider the sad case of Amando Fontaine, a crime victim in Miami, Florida.  According to various news reports, Mr. Fontaine's car was stolen from outside his home earlier this week.  Motor vehicle theft is bad enough.  But this crime reportedly cost Mr. Fontaine more than just his car.

According to reports, Mr. Fontaine, an Army veteran, also lost his prosthetic legs and wheelchair mount, which were located inside the stolen car.  Now, Mr. Fontaine will reportedly have problems in keeping his doctor appointments and simple getting around otherwise, too.

Here's hoping that Mr. Fontaine's car will soon be recovered.  As you see, white collar crime can be very costly to its victims.