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Police combat gas'n'go thefts
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Police in Laval are taking steps to combat gas thefts. The department says the number of thefts at the pump has risen considerably in recent days.
Laval police are distributing posters in gas stations telling motorists that stealing gas is a serious crime, and that a conviction could leave them with a criminal record.
Officers are also giving clerks at service stations a form they can quickly fill out to describe gas thieves and their vehicles in an effort to help with the police investigation.
But one of the difficulties police have with this kind of investigation is proving criminal intention to steal gasoline. An accused gas thief can plead he simply forgot to pay after filling up.
Other people make the effort to mask their licence plates so they can't be picked up by surveillance cameras.
Many gas stations in Quebec and Ontario have already taken the step of making motorists pay before allowing them to fill up.
Laval police are distributing posters in gas stations telling motorists that stealing gas is a serious crime, and that a conviction could leave them with a criminal record.
Officers are also giving clerks at service stations a form they can quickly fill out to describe gas thieves and their vehicles in an effort to help with the police investigation.
But one of the difficulties police have with this kind of investigation is proving criminal intention to steal gasoline. An accused gas thief can plead he simply forgot to pay after filling up.
Other people make the effort to mask their licence plates so they can't be picked up by surveillance cameras.
Many gas stations in Quebec and Ontario have already taken the step of making motorists pay before allowing them to fill up.