Pump pirates face increased fine

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Drivers who pull away from gas pumps without paying will face larger fines under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House. <br/><br/>The House voted 96-to-0 yesterday for the Senate-passed

Thursday, March 31st 2005, 6:19 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Drivers who pull away from gas pumps without paying will face larger fines under legislation approved by the Oklahoma House.

The House voted 96-to-0 yesterday for the Senate-passed bill and sent it to Governor Brad Henry for his signature.

The measure by Senator Jim Reynolds of Oklahoma City would increase the fine for fuel theft from 100 dollars to 500 dollars.

The measure's House sponsor -- Representative Paul Roan of Tishomingo -- says that 42 percent of the larcenies reported in Oklahoma City last year involved stealing gasoline.

Roan says only 48 of the cases were prosecuted.

He estimated the financial cost of pump piracy to taxpayers -- including the value of the stolen fuel and the cost to investigate thefts -- is about $200,000.00 each year.