Niles police need your help finding gas station drive-off suspect

by Sarah Rice (srice@wsbt.com)

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Gas stations have posted pictures of the man wanted for gas station drive-offs in Niles (Niles Police Dept. Photo)

Gas stations have posted pictures of the man wanted for gas station drive-offs in Niles. (Photo provided)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Apr 6, 2008 at 2:49 PM EST

Story Updated: Apr 11, 2008 at 1:49 PM EST

NILES -- The increasing pain at the pump has more drivers breaking the law to fill up. Police say they receive 2 to 3 reports of drive-offs a week. One of the more recent incidents happened at a Shell station on 11th Street and it was all caught on tape.

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There are two things Sarah Bakeman can't live without — her dog and her truck.

But driving a Ford F250 comes with a hefty price tag.

"Eighty-one bucks for me, and that fills up my truck for all week. And that's just my truck," Bakeman said.

There's no doubt, record high gas prices are draining drivers' wallets.

"Drive back and forth to work or get food for your family. I mean that's a tough choice," said Bakeman.

A choice that has some people going to great lengths to avoid.

Niles police say drive-offs have increased over the last month. But they say one man took it to a whole new level, getting away with hundreds of dollars in gas. But not before it was all caught on tape.

Surveillance video shows the suspect unloadinig multiple containers from his car and filling them up. He continues to fill more inside the car. And he doesn't leave without filling up his own tank.

The 12 minute stop cost nearly $250.

"From this station? Wow, that is a lot of money. That really ticks me off. i wish they could find the people who did it and prosecute them because like you said, I have to fork over that kind of money every week,” said Bakeman.

Employees at the Shell station are keeping a closer eye on the pumps and posting pictures of the suspect, hoping someone will recognize him.

"And this guy gets a free ride. I'm sorry, but that doesn't seem right to me," said Bakeman.

But not if police get their way.

The suspect is described as a white man in his late 30s or early 40s. He has short brown hair and a mustache. His vehicle appears to be a dark green GMC Jimmy.

Police say the man is also responsible for a drive-off at the Admiral Station on 17th Street.

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