Vernon Parish Sheriff's Office released yesterday that numerous convenience stores within the outlying areas of Vernon Parish, have been the victim of significant fuel thefts recently.
Thieves using ‘recoded /counterfeit’ credit cards are utilizing pay at the pump, after normal business hours, to commit a significant amount of these thefts. One convenience store suffered a loss of $ 4,741.24 in diesel fuel within a span of three nights. In this instance, the suspects arrived at the store after normal business hours and utilized the cards to pay at the pump and obtain approximately 470 gallons of fuel.
Thefts are also being committed during normal business hours. Store clerks should be vigilant if they observe a customer making a large purchase of fuel using more than one credit card. These suspects will use multiple credit cards at the pump to purchase fuel to fill a tank in the back of their vehicle. In other parishes, thieves have utilized SUV type vehicles which are equipped with a ‘bladder’ like tank concealed from plain sight. Historically, the suspects observed in these thefts have appeared to be Hispanic males, but these types of crimes, can certainly be committed by anyone with access to stolen credit card information. It is believed that these persons are involved in an organized theft ring.
Sheriff Craft is strongly recommending that all convenience stores, especially in outlying areas, offering after hours pay at the pump, shut down all pumps at the close of business in an effort to prevent such thefts. Pay at the pump should be available only IF a clerk is on duty to monitor those fuel sales.
Store employees are encouraged to immediately report any suspicious activity by calling VPSO at 337-238-1311.
Citizens who are dependent on after hours pay at the pump, should contact the store that they patronize, to see if any changes will be made in relation to the hours of fuel availability.