Thieves use magnets and blue tooth devices to steal gas

Gas is getting more and more expensive and diesel gas is currently over $5.00 per gallon.

Thieves are placing magnets on fuel pumps, and the magnets override the pump’s computers and allow gas to flow freely and bypass the payment system.

While the magnet trick hasn’t hit Colorado yet, fuel theft is already a problem here — last year more than $30,000 in diesel was stolen in Steamboat Springs and a fuel thief in Moffat County rammed three sheriff’s deputies during a chase.

Colorado gas station owners should take note — it may only be a matter of time before these magnet schemes move beyond Florida.

Separately, in California, officials are warning about a Bluetooth-based device being hidden inside pumps to steal fuel remotely — one station had 1,800 gallons stolen.

Five men have been arrested in Northwest Florida in connection with an organized diesel fuel theft ring spanning three counties.

The suspects used strong magnets to manipulate internal solenoid components inside fuel pumps — they’d open the pump panel, place the magnet in a precise spot, and it would override the payment system, allowing diesel to flow freely without registering a purchase.

The suspects were caught on surveillance footage filling up multiple semi-truck tanks.

The scheme caused significant financial losses for gas stations, including a Love’s travel stop in Santa Rosa County.

They face felony charges including Organized Fraud, Retail Fuel Theft by physically tampering with a fuel dispenser, and Grand Theft.

Investigators say the magnet trick is actually a common method for fuel theft and they expect more arrests and cases.

 

Watch how the magnet works below:

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