The high price of gasoline in the United States has opened the door for criminals to find a new business, as there have been robberies at gas stations and tanks from parked vehicles throughout the country.
The “huachicoleo” as this activity is commonly known in Mexico, has been on the rise in various states of the American Union.
Two weeks ago, the robbery was recorded in Florida of more than 1,22 gallons of fuel that two men extracted directly from the storage tank of a gas station.
A few days ago, in Louisiana, several rental trucks woke up with very little diesel at a branch of U-Hall due to the fact that lovers of foreign things drilled the fuel tanks and extracted dozens of gallons
But not everyone gets their hands dirty to commit this crime because there are criminals who take advantage of technology to achieve its mission. In the case of Virginia, gas thieves used electronic devices to access gas pumps and sold fuel at a lower price through a mobile app.
Average cost per gallon of gasoline on Monday in the country was between 4.98 dollars. In California it is sold even more expensive: at 6.31 dollars and some places exceed $7, according to Univision.
Authorities fear that fuel stolen in various parts of the country is being sold at low cost in clandestine sites, where there is a risk that it will be register an explosion for handling it.
In an interview with Fox News, the vice president of strategic initiatives for the industry of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), Jeff Lenard, expressed:
“These are thieves. They are not stealing from the rich to give to the poor. The owner of the gas station is the least responsible for the high prices”.
“The cost of theft translates into higher prices and when people drive with stolen fuel without guarantee, it is a concern for anyone”, detailed Lenard.
De According to the NACS, approximately 25% of gas stations have experienced an increase in fuel theft, compared to 2021.
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