Most gas thieves don’t try to siphon fuel from the underground tanks…this guy did, and boom!
Spokane Man Drives his Smoking, Crippled SUV Away from Gas Station
This is a clip we will be seeing on TV for years to come.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, as of Tuesday, June 16th. was still seeking to locate the driver of this Chevy 2007 Trailblazer, following an attempted gas theft at the Exxon Station in the 3400 block of Dishman Road in the Valley.
Arouond 4:30 AM, the clerk noticed a suspicious vehicle at one of the pumps, and called authorities. The driver apparently had several large tanks or drums in the back of his SUV, and a hose, and was siphoning fuel from underground storage.
The Fumes Apparently Ignited, and Boom!
The SCSO says in the surveillance video, the man frantically tried to put out the flames, then jumps in his still-smoking and badly damaged SUV and speeds off. It was later found abandoned about 2 miles away. When fire crews and Deputies located the abandoned rig, it was still on fire. He had apparently been driving it while the back cargo area and back seat were fully engaged with fire.
Apparently the Suspect was Making a 3rd run?
The SCSO says camera footage shows the man apparently successfully siphoned some fuel without attracting attention earlier around midnight, and returned at 4 AM and then at 4:30 when the explosion occurred.
Officials say it was likely he did sustain some singes or burns, but no reports of any such victims being treated at area hospital or urgent care centers.
The search for the man continues. Here’s the surveillance video, courtesy of the SPSO.
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