{"id":261223,"date":"2026-04-10T15:34:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T15:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/261223\/"},"modified":"2026-04-10T15:34:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T15:34:10","slug":"california-drivers-targeted-by-thieves-drilling-holes-in-gas-tanks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/261223\/","title":{"rendered":"California drivers targeted by thieves drilling holes in gas tanks"},"content":{"rendered":"

As if Californians weren\u2019t struggling enough from extreme gas prices, thieves are targeting<\/a> the increasingly valuable commodity with uniquely nefarious methods<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jacalyn Villalobos-Becerra, who lives in Long Beach, told The Post that a thief used a drill to empty her car\u2019s gas tank late last month.<\/p>\n

She said she discovered the hole in her tank as she was going to work early on March 31.<\/p>\n

Jacalyn Villalobos-Becerra told The Post that a thief emptied her gas tank.<\/p>\n

She said a drill was used to punch a hole in the tank of her car. TikTok\/@Jacalyn Villalobos-Becerra<\/p>\n

\u201cI put my things in the car and closed the door and as soon as it shut, I heard something under my car,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was loud. I backed away because I thought it was a raccoon or skunk since they are common in the area. I flash my light and just see gasoline pouring out,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

She shared picture showing a small, circular hole in her gas tank and a large, gasoline-stained splotch on the concrete.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt smelled really bad,\u201d Villalobos-Becerra said. \u201cIt still smells, actually.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another victim from Long Beach suffered a similar fate this week, posting a video on TikTok of a hole in his gas tank.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir, they drained all my gasoline Monday morning,\u201d Jose Figueroa told The Post, adding he had to pay out of pocket for the repairs. <\/p>\n

The driver also told Fox 11<\/a> that he heard \u201cwhat sound[ed] like a faucet running\u201d when he went to fill up his tank.<\/p>\n

\u201cI look down and there was gasoline all over,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The new scourge comes as Californians face paying the highest gas prices<\/a> in the nation.<\/p>\n

A gallon of regular gas in Los Angeles<\/a>-Long Beach area cost an average of $6.015 as of Friday<\/a>. For a smaller car with a 12-gallon gas tank, that would be about $72 worth of fuel on a full tank.<\/p>\n

A truck like the 2025 Ford F-150 holds 36 gallons of gas \u2014 upping potential thieves\u2019 haul to about $217 worth of gas on a full tank.<\/p>\n

The road was marked with a gasoline stain from the theft. TikTok\/@Jacalyn Villalobos-Becerra<\/p>\n

Costs also add up if victims need their tank replaced after being drilled. A new gas tank <\/a>can cost more than $1,500, according to Repair Pal.<\/p>\n

Figueroa, whos said the damage cost him about $1,000 in repairs, added that a tow truck driver told him he was the third car in the area to have their fuel tank drilled.<\/p>\n

Commenters on his video said they also fell victim to the crime.<\/p>\n

\u201cGirl I\u2019m in Long Beach too and this happened to me a week ago,\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo sorry this happened to you, happened to me as well,\u201d another added. \u201c$600 to fix.\u201d <\/p>\n

The California Post contacted the Long Beach Police Department for comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have enough worries,\u201d Figueroa told Fox 11. \u201cThe last thing I want to worry about is someone stealing our gas.\u201d<\/p>\n

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