Warning!!!!!

[Flaptail]

Filled the tank on the X-TERRA last evening. Got up to go to work this morning and when I turned over the engine the fuel gauge showed empty and the warning light for low fuel was on. I tapped the gauge but nothing happend. I then looked in the rear view to see my fuel cap hanging and the door open to it.

Someone had siphoned 60 bucks worth of gas last night while I was dreaming of a. Uma Thurman and b. Striped bass.

Sneaker prints were all we found and they did not spill a drop.

17.00 dollars later at Auto Zone I now have a locking gas cap.

Beware they are out there. Keep your outside lights on. Not that that will really help.

[Raven]

time for security cameras...

only because the locking cap protects the top of the tank
but not the tank itself...

i've been hearing of puncture holes found in them with a little plastic spigot valve installed that you can attach a small diameter plastic hose to.

Sorry that happened to you Steve. un freakin real...

[Skitterpop]

That sucks Steve........ more to come all around in this economy.

[Saltheart]

scum bags.

[MrHunters]

time to set traps.

heres an idea.

leave 2 5 gallon gas can behind or in front of your car. Fill them up 80% water and 20% gas (so it smells)
Do it now because you need to get gas into the tanks now so it makes sense they would be there.

Let sit over night.

I'm sure the guys that stole it won't think twice.

[FishermanTim]

In the natural progession (or degression) of society in times like these, we will first hear of "isolated" occurances, and then increasing reports. The next step, unfortunately, will be the retaliation/vigilante response. Bottom line: someone will get caught by the vehicle owner and put in the hospital or the grave.
The early returns on the first wave of "stimulus checks" show some increase in consumer spending: at least in gas syphoning supplies.

Keep your eyes open and you doors and windows locked.
Stealing gas is just the first step, because when they can't steal your gas, they'll try to steal anything else.

Heaven help the first person I catch trying to mess with my stuff.
He'll probably have an "accident" and need medical attention.
You know those kinds of accidents where they have to learn how to eat and walk all over again.
Oh, and it will be a shame that there won't be any witnesses.

[Adam_777]

I'd simply get a motion sensor light and hang it up making sure your truck is in it's range.Simple thing like a light will scare the scumbags away.In the budget and pretty easy to install.Nobody gets killed and you still have your gas in the morn.

[FishermanTim]

I don't want to sound like I want any confrontation with these types of scumbags, but if they are hard pressed to get at your stuff, they will find ways. You could go through the hassle of installing a motion detector linked to flood lights, but what if they just break the bulb while you're away? If you don't notice it isn't working, it defeats the purpose of the motion detection in the first place.
Mind you, it's a great place to start, but if the economy and rising fuel cost continue down the same path as they have, things may start getting dicey. Of course, it won't raise any eyebrows in Capital Hill until someone from a "respectable community" (suburbs where the politician REALLY live) have this happen to them.

Just don't let your guard down. You'll also start seeing more scams over the next few months, designed to relieve you of your "stimulus check".

[Adam_777]

Your right but put yourself in the theif's shoes.Finds an SUV with alot of gas and it was easy to steal it.He'll be back for sure.Next time the arrogant punk steps foot near his easy gas a light shines down on him bright as day.Scares the chit out of him and he starts looking for another easy deal.Won't waste another minute trying to get it.

[BigFish]

Originally Posted by MrHunters

time to set traps.

heres an idea.

leave 2 5 gallon gas can behind or in front of your car. Fill them up 80% water and 20% gas (so it smells)
Do it now because you need to get gas into the tanks now so it makes sense they would be there.

Let sit over night.

I'm sure the guys that stole it won't think twice.

I love it....do it!

[JohnR]

Xterra doesn't have anti-siphon valve?

[FishermanTim]

Originally Posted by MrHunters

time to set traps.

heres an idea.

leave 2 5 gallon gas can behind or in front of your car. Fill them up 80% water and 20% gas (so it smells)
Do it now because you need to get gas into the tanks now so it makes sense they would be there.

Let sit over night.

I'm sure the guys that stole it won't think twice.

Just don't forget yourself, or you'll be kicking yourself in the butt.

[NIGHT STRIKES]

Reports of this happening down here in Jersey also.. I hate the fact that the X-TERRA'S don't have the locking gas Panel/Cover. Like most other SUV's have a inside release latch to open it up...

On another note - Crude Oil up another $1.69 a barrell RECORD HIGH AGAIN Today...

[FishermanTim]

This has the makings of a genuine, bonafide domino-effect fiasco.
With the price of fuel going thru the roof, people have started to resort to stealing. The "new" trend for homes now are wood burning stoves. They will be, if not already, hard to find and priced outrageously to boot. Next will be obtaining the fuel for these home fires, and subsequently, the protection of your wood supply.
I couldn't have imagined even 2 years ago that I would be considering retro-fitting our home for a wood burning stove to save having to burn oil for heat AND hot water.
The phrase "Keep the homefires burning" will have new meaning in the days to come.

[woodbutcher]

From personal experience, I recommend Mr Hunter's suggestion. Emotionally, it can be highly rewarding.

Several years ago there was a rash of engine oil theft from the boats berthed around me. Everyone had a good idea of who the culprits were. A tube of valve lapping paste mixed with a gallon of fresh oil removed all doubt.

Best part was that the engine rebuilder didn't suspect sabotage so he didn't flush the oil passages. Three months later, a relapse.

To this day I still savor the memory of all that smoke pouring out of the stack.

[fishaholic18]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Xterra doesn't have anti-siphon valve?

Thats what I was thinking..Pretty much impossible to get a hose down nowadays.... Big plastic check ball in the filler...

[EarnedStripes44]

I have never in all my 25 years (Save the 70s) heard of someone stealing gas. It is indeed a new day in America.

[EarnedStripes44]

out of a vehicle that is!!

[Swimmer]

During the last gas crisis we two females about thirty years old, maybe a little older, who didn't bother to siphon. They just puctured hole in gas tank and let it drain out into a couple of large oil change containers. Then they poured the gas into a more appropriate container for transport inside thier own vehicle.

[Rob Rockcrawler]

My buddy had a big gas can stolen from his yard last year. He had it filled with diesel for the backhoe he rented. Some deserving idiot got what they deserved.

[davisd]

I tied fishing line to mine and ran it into the house with bells attached to next to my bed the bells went off and I opened the window and Mr. 12-gauge said how can I help you?? Never saw them again. This was back in 80"s living in Dot

[5 String Bass]

Tough times, indeed. I think it sucks, but it shows what a complete mess things are here in the Ole US of A. Next comes food (I understand we are experiencing a shortage of THAT too!) Imagine someone breaking in to steal groceries!

[Tagger]

bummer....

[fish4striper]

F'in theives

Look at it this way Flap, at least it wasn't your catalytic converter or your basement of plugs!

[Pt.JudeJoe]

Dreaming of Uma Thuman eh???



THURMAN TESTIFIES IN FRONT OF ACCUSED STALKER :: Posted on May 01, 2008 by Vanessa
UMA THURMAN took the stand and faced her accused stalker in Manhattan State Supreme Court on Thursday (01May08), calling her experiences with JACK JORDAN a "nightmare".
The actress, who stood trembling on the witness stand, admitted she was "freaked out" when the accused allegedly delivered a card bearing a picture of an open grave and a man standing on the edge of a razor blade.
Thurman said, "It was like a nightmare. It was scary."
She recalled the disturbing note also featured the line "My hands should be on your body at all times."
The Kill Bill star also told the court that when she called her parents, who testified in the case earlier this week (beg28Apr08), to alert them about what she had received, her father informed her that he had also received e-mail messages from Jordan.
Thurman said, "I felt a stone drop in my stomach. The idea that this had a history made it even more terrifying."

The actress refused to look at Jordan, who is accused of trailing and attempting to contact Thurman from early 2005 until 2007, as she testified.
He faces a year in jail if he's found guilty of stalking and aggravated harassment charges.
The trial continues.

[Rockport24]

Originally Posted by davisd

I tied fishing line to mine and ran it into the house with bells attached to next to my bed the bells went off and I opened the window and Mr. 12-gauge said how can I help you?? Never saw them again. This was back in 80"s living in Dot

you really did that? that's awesome!

[Tagger]

Mad Max is happening ... Invest in weird clothing ..

[Raven]

it's time for a Mohawk and i don't have any hair...

just great.... LOL

[Raven]

and you'll notice he has the right kind of DOG

same as our STAR, who's on the mend.

[zimmy]

huh... my neighbor was telling me earlier this week that he had his gas siphoned off in the seventies. He mentioned this because his garage was too full of crap to fit his car in at the time and he was thinking about how MY garage is too full of crap to fit my cars in now Guess I should trust his senior wisdom and clean my garage