Calls for mandatory prepayment at fuel pumps as 'gas-and-dash' thefts skyrocket
In Ontario, gas prices are set to equal all time highs when prices rise four cents at midnight to bring gas to more than $1.90 per litre.
As fuel prices rise there are more reports of “gas and dash” thefts at gas stations, and reports of gas siphoning from private vehicles in parking lots.
“As I moved around my vehicle, I noticed the gas cap had been removed and the gas door was wide open,” said Orlando Alberto of Scarborough, Ont.
Alberto said when he came out of his building, he was shocked to find his gas cap dangling on the side of his van and when he checked his gas gauge, fuel had been siphoned out of his tank.
"With the high prices at the pump people are trying to find devious ways to get fee gas and this is one of those ways," said Alberto.
While Toronto police said there have been reports of gas siphoning, it’s difficult to know how widespread it is, however, there is evidence that “gas and dash” thefts from gas stations have been rising steadily along with the price of gas.
The Ontario Convenience Stores Association (OCSA), which represents 2,700 gas stations, said there were 21,000 gas thefts in 2020, with an average loss of $52 for total losses of $1,000,000, but it predicts there will be as many as 50,000 drive--off thefts this year, with an average loss of $75 and total losses of $3,750,000 in losses.
OCSA CEO Dave Bryans said Ontario should follow the lead of British Columbia and Alberta, which now make prepaying at the gas pump mandatory before buying fuel.
“This can't continue anymore because it's getting worse,” said Bryans. “The risk by someone getting run over by someone intending to steal gas or an employee getting hurt is on the increase."
The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) agrees with mandating prepayment of gasoline saying it can prevent injuries to employees, the public and stop theft for retail owners.
OACP Director of Government Relations and Communications Joe Couto said it will also relieve the burden on law enforcement investigating cases where the thief is usually long gone and difficult to catch.
“It's costing us a lot of money and it's pulling officers from other things that could be a lot more proactive," said Couto.
Couto said that as well as being a drain on police recourses, mandating prepayment at the pump could help protect workers who may feel the need to try and stop a theft in progress where they could be hurt or even killed.
“We don’t want someone to be seriously hurt or die because they are trying to stop someone who is driving off with $60 to $80 worth of gas,” said Couto.
With an Ontario election currently underway both the police and convenience store associations want prepayment at the gas pumps to become an election issue.
Both support Bill 231 “The Protecting Ontarians by Enhancing Gas Station Safety to Prevent Gas and Dash Act,” which was introduced as legislation at Queen’s Park but did not pass into law.
With gas prices predicted to rise to $2 a litre before the May 24th long weekend there is a concern these types of gasoline thefts will continue.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Disability Benefit needs to safeguarded from clawbacks, MPs unanimously agree
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
BREAKING Security guard shot, seriously injured outside of Drake's Toronto mansion
A security guard working at Drake’s Bridle Path mansion in Toronto was seriously injured in a shooting outside the residence early Tuesday morning, police said.
King Charles too busy to see son Prince Harry during U.K. trip
Prince Harry will not be seeing his father King Charles during his current visit to Britain as the monarch will be too busy, Harry's spokesperson said on Tuesday.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Turfing Poilievre from House a clear sign of desperation by Trudeau Liberals
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
Six Canadian children repatriated from detention in Syria, Global Affairs Canada says
The Global Affairs Department says six Canadian children have been repatriated from detention in northeastern Syria.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.