The Ellis County Sheriff’s Department has seen an increase in fuel theft in recent months, especially from parked vehicles.  Sheriff Ed Harbin told Hays Post the most recent case happened in Schoenchen.

The theft happened sometime between November 16th and November 18th in the 200 block of Cheyenne St.  Fuel was siphoned out of the gas tank of a vehicle parked at the residence, but it’s unclear exactly when the incident occurred.  Harbin added that he’s surprised that fuel thefts are happening so frequently now “that gas has been coming down in price.”

Harbin says the easiest way to prevent fuel theft from vehicles is to buy a locking gas cap, which costs around $20 or $30.