Stupid Alert: Police seeking information - Gas Spill

Clumsy thieves botch attempt to siphon gas and cause 1,000-gallon spill
Police are asking anyone with information to call the Merced Police Department at (209) 385-4725 or (209) 385-4702.

Authorities stop the spill at Merced gas station before it can do serious damage

MERCED -- Disaster was averted April 8th after thieves tried to siphon gasoline from a Valero gas station, dumping more than 1,000 gallons of fuel.

Investigators from the Merced Police Department and Merced Fire Department described the incident as a "river of fuel" that was spilling from one of the station�s gas tanks. Luckily, no one was hurt. Investigators said they were able to stop the leak before the gas could pour into storm drains.

Police did not have anyone in custody.

Before midnight, the thieves broke the lock off one of the station�s fuel tanks and then tried to siphon the gas from a ground tank into a black Chevy Astro van, according to Fire Chief Ken Mitten.

The thieves apparently cut a large hole into the floor of the van and positioned themselves over the gas tank. They tried to siphon the gas into a 200 gallon tank inside of the van, using a long rubber hose and a pump powered by a car battery.

The thieves were unable to control the gas and it began to spill from the van. The thieves then fled, leaving the gas pouring from the station, according to Police Lt. Bimley West.

An officer driving by the station and noticed the spill at 12:06 a.m. The Fire Department and several police officers responded, West said.

A total of 1,014 gallons of fuel spilled from the station, Mitten said.

Cleanup efforts at the gas station lasted throughout the morning as investigators placed mounds of absorbent material around the station. The smell of fumes from the gas was strong as men wearing gas masks and protective suits cleaned the area.

A spark or cigarette could have easily set-off the gas. Mitten said.

"All of the potential was here for a major disaster," Mitten said. "It was a dangerous situation."

Police are asking anyone with information to call the Merced Police Department at (209) 385-4725 or (209) 385-4702.

Source article: modbee.com