With the national economy in the tank, gasoline thefts are on the rise in many parts of the country, but Alaskans appear to have found a way to take things to a new low.
Alaska State Troopers say they have been getting reports from all across the state of thieves drilling and draining the gas tanks of cars left parked along state highways. It appears the Last Frontier has been invaded by gas pirates.
"It's been going on all summer," said trooper spokeswoman Megan Peters. "People really should be looking at having someone drop them off" if planning to be away from a car or truck parked along the road overnight. A drop off is no doubt inconvenient, but less upsetting than returning from an outing to find your vehicle drained of gas.
Cars normally can be found parked anywhere along the limited road system in the 49th state. There are hundreds of pullovers both formal and informal used by Alaskans headed for remote cabins in the Bush, or simply out hiking, hunting or fishing. A significant number of these people have been coming back from their excursions these days to find their fuel tanks dry.
"Apparently, there are a lot of people really upset about it," Peters said.
Troopers have been trying to keep an eye out for fuel thieves, but investigations aren't helped by the fact a fair number of gas thefts appear to either go unreported or else get reported days after the fact, Peters said. When someone notifies troopers that a car was drained three or four days after the fact, "we can't really do anything," she said.
Speedier reporting would help; better yet, Peters said, Alaskans should be on the lookout for suspicious activities.
"We can't be everywhere," Peters said, but the public can. "If you see anything odd, call us," she said. "The sooner you report it, the better."
Gas thieves, meanwhile, might want to note that this is the hunting season in Alaska. Many, if not most, people returning to vehicles parked along the highway are likely to be armed.
As one acquaintance of cabin owners victimized in a parking lot along the George Parks Highway north of Talkeetna observed, stealing gas in Alaska does not seem like a good long-term career choice.
Contact Craig Medred at craig(at)alaskadispatch.com