Californians are facing not just high gas prices but also a growing threat from thieves targeting fuel in alarming ways.
In a recent incident, Jacalyn Villalobos-Becerra from Long Beach found that her car’s gas tank had been drilled into, resulting in a significant loss of fuel. She discovered the damage as she prepared to leave for work early on March 31.
“I heard a noise coming from underneath my car,” she recounted. Initially thinking it might be a raccoon or skunk, she shone her lights on the area and was shocked to see gasoline gushing out.
Sharing details of the incident, she expressed how strong the smell was, noting, “It really stinks.” She even posted a photo showing a circular hole in her gas tank alongside a large stain on the pavement.
Another victim, Jose Figueroa, experienced a similar theft just days later. He shared a TikTok video displaying the hole in his gas tank and mentioned he had to cover the repair costs himself. “When I tried to fill my tank, I heard this weird sound,” he explained, describing the moment he realized gasoline was spraying out.
Californian gas prices are among the highest in the U.S., with the average in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area reportedly at $6.015 per gallon. This means refueling a small car with a 12-gallon tank costs about $72, while larger vehicles like the Ford F-150, which holds 36 gallons, could lead to a theft worth up to $217.
Victims of this crime are not just facing loss of fuel. If repairs are necessary—like replacing a punctured gas tank—those costs can exceed $1,500, according to repair estimates. Figueroa mentioned that his damages totaled around $1,000, and interestingly, he learned he was the third person in his vicinity to have faced this strange situation.
Many commenters on Figueroa’s video shared similar experiences, with some stating they had also suffered fuel theft recently and the hefty repair bills that followed.
“I went through this too, and it cost me $600 to fix,” one person remarked, echoing the frustration felt by many in the community.
The ongoing situation adds to the stress for residents already grappling with high costs of living. As Figueroa aptly put it, “There’s enough to worry about. The last thing anyone wants is to have to guard their gas from thieves.”
