Please check http://www.snopes.com/horrors/mayhem/gaspump.htm
[executive summary: it is a hoax] Philip Paula and Larry Schmeidler wrote: >Hi folks: > >This may seem a bit remote to some, but the vet organizations are taking this >very seriously re copy cat types. > >Larry >----- Original Message ----- >From: Don Read >To: Recipient list suppressed >Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2003 1:04 AM >Subject: Fwd: Fw: HIV and Gas Pump Alert > > > > > Original Message ----- > Don't know if it's true or not, but better safe than sorry......... > > **************************************** > > Subject: Warning HIV and Gas Pump Alert !!! > > Subject: Warning: Look at the gas pump handle BEFORE you pump your gas. > Please read and forward to anyone you >know who drives a car. > > My name is Captain Abraham Sands of the Jacksonville, Florida >Police Department. I have been asked by state and local authorities to write >this email in order to get the word out to car drivers of a very dangerous >prank that is occurring in numerous states. Some person or persons have been >affixing hypodermic needles to the underside of gas pump handles! These >needles appear to be infected with HIV positive blood. In the Jacksonville >area alone there have been 17 cases of people being stuck by these needles >over the past five months. > > We have verified reports of at least 12 others in various states >around the country. It is believed that these may be copycat incidents due to >someone reading about the crimes or seeing them reported on the television. > > At this point no one has been arrested and catching the >perpetrator(s) has become our top priority. Shockingly, of the 17 people who >where stuck, eight have tested HIV positive, and because of the nature of the >disease, the others could test positive in a couple years. Evidently the >consumers go to fill their car with gas and when picking up the pump handle >get stuck with the > infected needle. > > IT IS IMPERATIVE TO CAREFULLY CHECK THE HANDLE of the gas pump >each > time you use one. LOOK AT EVERY SURFACE YOUR HAND MAY TOUCH, > INCLUDING UNDER THE HANDLE! If you do find a needle affixed to >one, > immediately contact your local police department so they can >collect > the evidence. PLEASE HELP US BY MAINTAINING A VIGILANCE AND BY > FORWARDING THIS EMAIL TO ANYONE YOU KNOW WHO DRIVES. > THE MORE PEOPLE WHO KNOW OF THIS THE BETTER PROTECTED WE CAN ALL >BE. > > Captain Abraham Sands of the Jacksonville, Florida Police >Department > > > > -- Philip Gladstone * Check out the live pondcam at http://pond.gladstonefamily.net
