Fuel Theft is on the Rise. Here’s How to Stop It.

Fuel theft is no longer a petty crime. It's become a serious, organized operation. From tampering with dispensers to siphoning fuel out of underground tanks, thieves are exploiting weak points and costing businesses thousands of dollars per incident.

The reality? If they have already targeted a station in your area, your site could be next.

When Fuel Theft Turns Organized

In September 2025, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office wrapped up a six-month fuel theft investigation. What they uncovered:

• Modified minivans with hidden 500-gallon tanks and pumps

• Cut-through floorboards to siphon fuel directly from underground storage

• 185,000 gallons stolen across more than 350 incidents, valued at $650,000 in losses

• Nine arrests and nearly 20 vehicles seized in one sweep

Sheriff Chad Chronister summed it up clearly:

“Fuel theft of this magnitude puts drivers at risk, undermines the integrity of our fuel supply, and robs businesses in our communities.”

Read the full report from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

This case makes one thing clear. Fuel theft is evolving. Organized groups are getting bolder, faster, and more efficient.

Everyday Break-Ins You Don’t See Coming

Not every theft involves a van with hidden tanks. The most common fuel thefts are less elaborate but can be just as damaging.

Thieves target the weakest link: plastic security pins on dispensers. These can be snapped in seconds, giving criminals access to:

• The pulsar, which can be tampered with to dispense fuel without logging it

• Dispenser internals, leading to broken equipment and expensive repairs

• Metering systems, allowing fuel to flow for free or at manipulated rates

Once inside, thieves can:

• Steal thousands of dollars in fuel before anyone notices

• Trigger compliance violations and dreaded red tags

• Force downtime and lost revenue until a technician resets the system

If thieves succeed once, they are likely to return.

Examples of dispenser tampering cases:

• San Diego police hunt for suspects after 3,000 gallons of fuel stolen from 76/Circle K

• Thieves steal more than $30,000 in diesel fuel in Lodi

• Gas station owner hit by alleged fuel theft scheme in New Mexico

• 3 City Employees Arrested for Stealing Gas

The EOH Solution: Reinforced Security That Stops Theft

▶️ Watch how our reinforced bracket installs in under 30 minutes and keeps thieves out.

At E.O. Habhegger, we worked directly with customers who were losing money to dispenser break-ins. That is why we designed a reinforced metal security bracket to replace vulnerable plastic pins.

This is not another alarm that shuts your site down after a break-in. This is hardware that makes break-ins far more difficult to pull off in the first place.

✅ Stops dispenser tampering before it starts

✅ Prevents red tags and compliance shutdowns

✅ Keeps your site running with no downtime

✅ Eliminates service calls for resets

✅ Installs in under 30 minutes

It is simple, effective, and built to protect fueling sites against the tactics thieves are using right now.

Do Not Wait Until It Happens to You

From elaborate underground siphoning to quick-hit dispenser tampering, fuel theft is a growing problem nationwide. Law enforcement is cracking down, but prevention starts at the pump.

If criminals are testing dispensers in your area, they are looking for easy targets. Make sure your site isn't one of them.

Lock Down Your Security with EOH

Protect your business, your fuel, and your bottom line.

🔒 Ready to install a proven solution that criminals cannot bypass?

Contact us today.