KRISTIE MOSS / Scroll
Gas theft reports have become more prevalent in Rexburg as the prices rise. Local police say human error has been one of the main reasons for skips.

Drive-offs at local stations rise with gas prices

Lacey Jacobson JAC05006@BYUI.EDU Scroll Staff

Gas skipping has become more prevalent since gas prices have gone up. According to Rexburg Police Captain Randy Lewis, the reports of gas skipping have increased considerably from last year.

Those who choose to steal gas and are caught may receive a petty theft penalty, which could be a fine up to $1,000 and/or jail time.

First time offenders usually don’t get jail time, but monetary penalties will be imposed.

According to Alisa Smith, head manager of Horkley’s gas station, located at 39 S. 2nd West in Rexburg, gas skipping occurs quite often.

“More often than not, we catch them,” Smith said. Horkley’s reports to the Rexburg Police Department on potential gas skips about once a week, and sometimes more. “Drive-offs at Horkley’s have affected our employees by decreasing their chance for a potential raise,” Smith said.

To stop the drive-offs, Horkley’s has employees write down the license plate numbers of the customers’ cars. They even started a new policy of having customers prepay after 5 p.m.

Due to the commotion during Labor Day weekend, Horkley’s hired attendants for eight-hour shifts. Attendants pumped the customers’ gas, wrote down license plate numbers and took the customers’ money.

Smith and Captain Lewis considered most gas skips to be unintentional.

“Our customers are really good at paying for their gas,” Smith said. Captain Lewis mentioned that most of the time the gas skips are due to human error.

For example, their credit card or debit card didn’t process correctly or the customers forgot whether or not they paid.

This could happen because customers are a hurry and don’t pay attention, Lewis said.

“Be sure you know how to operate the pump and be sure you get a receipt,” Smith said.

This is one solution to help.

In the wake of last week’s Hurricane Rita, experts predict a rise in gas prices and in turn increasing the possibility of gas theft in and around southeastern Idaho.