Neillsville Law enforcement officials in search of gasoline thief

NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (WEAU) – Neillsville law enforcement officials are looking for somebody accused of stealing gasoline by drilling holes right into a automobile’s gas tank.

Gross Auto Group proprietor Mike Gross mentioned somebody drilled holes right into a used Jeep Patriot’s gas tank on the dealership’s downtown lot Tuesday evening.

He mentioned mechanics first observed the issue Wednesday after they introduced the automobile into the storage for a routine check-up.

“As quickly as we pulled in everyone observed they may odor gasoline after which they adopted the quarter gasoline path working in from the skin after which put the car up on the horse, and that’s once we observed any person had drilled a gap into

the gas tank that night prior so as to steal the gasoline from it,” he mentioned.

Gross is not any stranger to theft however he mentioned it is a new one.

“We’ve had loads of issues stolen over time, lot of loopy issues,” he mentioned. “Wheels, vehicles, catalytic converters, in fact is a scorching merchandise, however I’ve by no means had anyone drill a gap below a gasoline tank so as to steal gasoline.”

Gross mentioned given present financial circumstances, and rising gasoline costs, he’s not shocked somebody tried to poach some gas. Nonetheless, individuals normally siphon it by the gasoline cap.

“After I noticed how they did it by drilling a gap within the tank, then I used to be a bit of extra miffed at how that had occurred,” he mentioned.

Gross mentioned the thief in all probability stole about $20 work of gasoline, inflicting about $1,500 in injury. It received’t harm the automobile’s resale worth as soon as it’s fastened.

Regardless of that, he’s providing a $2,000 reward, possible greater than the price of repairs, to anybody who comes ahead with data resulting in an arrest.

“We simply sort of wished to go this off taking place once more to us or to anyone else locally,” he mentioned. “It’s a small neighborhood. We can repair this automobile. Simply hate to see it taking place to different individuals the place they’re now attempting to interchange gas tanks and getting the identical factor completed.”

Gross mentioned individuals with data on the crime ought to name his dealership at (715) 743-3207 or the Neillsville Police Division at (715) 743-3122.

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