by Jaye S.
Member since:
October 31, 2006

70 Year Old Man Accusted of Stealing Gas Regularly

October 19, 2007 10:48 AM EDT
views: 99 | comments: 17

According to an Associated Press article posted on MSN.com, Herbert Gibson was charged with grand theft after allegedly siphoning 900 gallons of gas from underground storage tanks.  Deputies witnessed Gibson stealing gas from two stations on Tuesday and other officials believe he has been stealing gas daily since January of this year.

Gibson, using a stolen box trailer, would pull over near underground storage tanks at gas stations, pop the hood on the trailer and pretend to be working.  The box trailer had a trap door underneath and no one could see what he was doing.  On one occasion, he even spoke to a Florida Highway patrol officer while stealing gas.

Gibson is currently in jail with no bond.  He faces charges in multiple counties.

 

See the story here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21368817?GT1=10450

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Comments: 17

Nicholas Holder Oct 19, 2007, 1:15pm EDT
These types of reports always make me chuckle. What was he doing with 900 gallons of gasoline? I mean the obvious answer is using it in his vehicle, but 900? I did a quick calc on how many fill-ups this would be in my car with a 14-gallon tank.

900 gallons since January / 14-gallon tank = ~64 tanks. Divide that by 10 months and you get ~6.5 fills per month. Why would a 70 year old use 91 gallons of gas a month? Was he sharing? Selling to his friends, neighbors? Where was he driving to every day?
Nicholas Holder Oct 19, 2007, 1:21pm EDT
And how do you possibly siphon from an underground tank while you're above it? You'd have to use some sort of vaccuum device. You're telling me that nobody who works at these gas stations said, "Hey, what's that guy doing? We didn't ask anyone to work on the tanks today," while there's a loud hum coming from a box trailer conveniently sitting on their tank covers? He couldn't have done it at night because that would have been even more suspicious. Was this guy lucky, smart, or were the clerks just idiots?
Jaye S. Oct 19, 2007, 1:42pm EDT
They said something about him storing it about his towing company. Maybe he used it in his trucks??? I wondered the same thing but thought it was interesting.
Rita j. Oct 19, 2007, 3:29pm EDT
interesting
Michelle W. Oct 19, 2007, 8:06pm EDT
Good grief! I am wondering the same thing as Nicholas.
Sandra T. Oct 19, 2007, 8:24pm EDT
It's because gas prices are so horrible! I mean it's not right, but if prices were lower stuff like this would not happen!
Julia *loves my baby girl chloe* M. Oct 19, 2007, 8:25pm EDT
i read that on cricket wireless web!! weird news topics ahahah!! but geez a 70 year old!!
Lune Wolfsong Oct 20, 2007, 12:03am EDT
This story is something else. I can't help but chuckle.
Elizabeth Madrigal Oct 20, 2007, 12:31am EDT
I must not have a criminal mind, as doing something like this would never even occur to me. I give the guy a '10' for creativity.
Selene N. Oct 20, 2007, 12:33am EDT
That's crazy...
innovative! lol
Ghostly Ghoul Oct 22, 2007, 6:35pm EDT
With prices this high I'm not surprised.
It's too bad that someone with that much ingenuity cannot figure out how to make lots of money legitimately!
Rita j. Oct 22, 2007, 6:47pm EDT
what !!! 70 yrs. Old Interesting
John Harris Beck Oct 23, 2007, 8:18am EDT
I would hope not to find myself in a situation where I felt the need to steal, but especially not gasoline! Ka-boom.

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