Nevada Thieves Drill into Gas Tanks to Steal Fuel

ELKO, Nev. (AP) — Thieves in Elko are taking an especially destructive route to stealing residents' gas. The Elko Daily Free Press reports criminals have drilled holes in the gas tanks of at least three vehicles this week in attempts to take the fuel.

Targets included a truck driven by an Elko city councilman and a state-owned SUV outside a Nevada Job Connect office. Lori Roa of the Job Connect says a Toyota Highlander had its tank punctured Tuesday evening. She said there was gas everywhere in the morning, and fire crews had to mop it up.

Roa said the SUV was towed and the tank will need to be completely replaced. Auto shops interviewed by the Free Press estimated that gas tank replacements could cost between $500 and $2,000.