Locking Gas Caps Becoming Popular

Locking Gas Caps Becoming Popular


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John Daley reportingHigh gasoline prices are leading some people to take extreme measures. And we're not talking about conserving gas. We're talking about extreme measures to steal it.

Do you have a locking gas cap on your cars? If the answer is no, this story may make you want to reconsider.

By now, most people on the planet--certainly anyone who drives--knows that gas prices are high, as high as Americans have ever seen.

Still, Bill Breedlove figured it would never come to this. He was surprised this morning when a house guest informed him of some signs of trouble in his driveway.

Bill Breedlove/ Taylorsville Resident: "He goes, 'Both of our fuel doors are open on our vehicles.' I said, 'That's odd,' and immediately got a bad feeling."

Breedlove, an automotive instructor, knows a thing or two about cars. He's a team manager for his family's record-setting Salt Flats speed racing machines. So, he immediately figured out what happened. Someone had siphoned off half his Ford Expedition's 44 gallon tank, diesel fuel worth about 65 dollars.

Bill Breedlove/ Taylorsville Resident: "So I'm sure there's someone walking around today with diesel fuel breath."

Breedlove's day turned into a longer-than-expected quest to find a recently popular item-- a locking gas cap.

Bill Breedlove/ Taylorsville Resident: "It took me seven trips, or seven visits to local autoparts stores before I located one, because they were sold out."

Just in case, Breedlove says now he may also install a motion detector.

Bill Breedlove/ Taylorsville Resident: "It's not like they were putting fuel in it. I don't care if a guy wants to give me full service and touches my vehicle. But a guy opening the lid and taking fuel out, it bothers you. It's a violation."

Like gasoline, a locking gas cap isn't cheap. One of these with a lock costs about 25 bucks.

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