Police, station managers brace for theft increase with price rise

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- The high price of gasoline is causing some problems around the borders between Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. <br><br>Authorities say many people are stealing gas at stations

Friday, March 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- The high price of gasoline is causing some problems around the borders between Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.

Authorities say many people are stealing gas at stations in neighboring states and then racing back home, taking advantage of jurisdictional loopholes.

Rob Walker is manager at Jugstore Liquors near the Arkansas border in Jane, Missouri. He says the drive-away rate at the station had been about two per month, but is now up to about 20 a month.

He says about 95 percent of his gas customers are from Arkansas. Police in Sherwood, Arkansas, say a station there has been hard-hit by theft since gas prices shot up.

(Little Rock, Arkansas-AP) -- The high price of gasoline is causing some problems around the borders between Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.

Authorities say many people are stealing gas at stations in neighboring states and then racing back home, taking advantage of jurisdictional loopholes.

Rob Walker is manager at Jugstore Liquors near the Arkansas border in Jane, Missouri. He says the drive-away rate at the station had been about two per month, but is now up to about 20 a month.

He says about 95 percent of his gas customers are from Arkansas. Police in Sherwood, Arkansas, say a station there has been hard-hit by theft since gas prices shot up.