video shows employee fight back against thieves taking diesel from underground tanks

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A gas station worker took matters into her own hands Wednesday when she confronted a suspected diesel thief in the parking lot of the Texaco gas station where she works.

Using a stick she found in the store, she says it was the only thing she knew how to get their attention, as she hit the suspects’ van.

The gas station at the intersection of Sam Houston Tollway and Fort Bend Toll Road has been the target of diesel thieves for four months, owner Tri Truong said.

According to Truong, his company lost about $20,000 in 12 separate diesel thefts.

Each time, he says the same amount is pumped from his underground storage tanks: 389 gallons.

Surveillance video from May 27 shows a fleet of golden pickup trucks above its diesel storage tanks.

He says in 11 minutes they pumped out 389 gallons.

Then, on Wednesday morning, the same van returned and again parked above the underground storage tank.
The driver is seen casually entering the convenience store, but just as he arrives at the cash register, the clerk notices the suspicious van.

Experts said this type of crime is on the rise as gasoline and diesel prices rise.

They say the thieves are using a hatch in the bottom of the van to pump diesel and fill canisters inside, likely with the intention of reselling the expensive fuel.

The suspicious driver sprinted out of the store during the confrontation in the parking lot and the golden van was chased by someone else in the vehicle.

Houston police are now looking for this man, the golden van and others involved.

SEE ALSO: Fuqua Express gas station manager in southwest Houston claims thieves stole diesel from underground tanks

For more of this story, follow Shelley Childers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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