(On Wednesday, emergency officials deal with two vehicles that went up in flames Tuesday night at the Hertz car rental business on Aviation Way. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian)
WATSONVILLE — Two vehicles were destroyed Tuesday night after someone reportedly drilled holes in the gas tank to steal fuel and sparked a fire, Watsonville Police Sgt. Mish Radich said.
According to Radich, police and firefighters responded at about 8:45 p.m. to the fire at 317 Airport Blvd., a lot used by the Hertz car rental company.
Investigators believe that someone drilled a hole in the gas tank of a Ford Explorer, causing a fire that spread to a Ford Fiesta parked next to it. Fire also damaged a Cadillac parked nearby.
Officials at the scene estimated the damage at more than $50,000.
There is no suspect description, and police are canvassing the neighborhood to find witnesses, Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said.
After the blaze was extinguished, police found a cordless drill near the burned SUV, along with a pan thought to be used for collecting gas.
“It appears that someone was trying to steal gas by drilling a hole in the tank,” Radich said.
Local law enforcement officials have noted a recent increase of incidents in which thieves siphon gas from tanks, cut fuel lines or drill holes into vehicles to drain gas.
According to Watsonville Police crime analyst Jason Panick, Watsonville Police have investigated six similar incidents within the past year. Several of these, he said, have been in lots owned by the City of Watsonville or Santa Cruz County.
Santa Cruz County deputies have also noted several gas thefts at Cabrillo College, Panick said.
According to Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Sgt. Brian Cleveland, unknown suspects have either siphoned gas or drilled holes in county-owned vehicles in the area of Emeline Avenue in Santa Cruz, which houses several county buildings.
Thieves have also targeted vehicles in the Santa Cruz County Health Services Department on Freedom Boulevard and the Weights and Measurements office at 175 Westridge Drive, Cleveland said.
Because thieves used similar methods to steal the gas, investigators believe the cases may be related, Cleveland said.
“We are going to work with Watsonville because of the similarities in the cases,” he said.
To avoid being targeted by gas thieves, Pulido suggests parking on well-lit areas, be vigilant and reporting suspicious activity.
A close-up photo shows holes that were drilled into the gas tank of a Ford Explorer. Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian
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AAA offers these tips to prevent gas thefts:
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Watch for odd behavior around driveways, parking lots and streets, including people looking into parked vehicles and carrying tools or containers.
• Purchase a locking gas cap device.
• Buy a vehicle with a factory-equipped remote locking fuel-filler door.
• Use attended parking lots.
• Check fuel gauge when returning, and do not drive if you notice spilled fuel
• Change routines. Park in different places.
• Park in lighted areas at night.
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Anyone with information is asked to call Juan Sanchez at 768-3358, Watsonville Police dispatch at 471-1151, the anonymous tip line at 768-3544, or the Watsonville Police Department’s Investigations Bureau at 768-3352.
