As gas prices rise, drive offs, violence will increase, experts predict By SAMIRA JAFARI Associated Press Writer MONTGOMERY, Ala. The case of an Alabama gas station owner fatally run down by a driver escaping with $52 worth of fuel came as no shock to industry experts, who say such behavior is a natural byproduct of skyrocketing gas prices.
"As the price of gas climbs, people's values decline," said Jeff Lenard, spokesman for the National Association of Convenience Stores. Lenard said the death of Husain "Tony" Caddi has captured national attention for two reasons: It proves that soaring gas prices makes people angry enough to steal, and gas retailers are tired of putting up with it. Caddi, the 54-year-old owner of the Fort Payne Texaco, died Friday after he grabbed onto the escaping vehicle and the driver dragged him across the parking lot and onto U.S. 11. Caddi fell from the vehicle and was run over by the vehicle's rear wheel. A search for the driver and a gold or tan Jeep-style SUV continued Monday. Fort Payne police Chief David Walker said the northeast Alabama town of 13,000 was shocked by the death. "It's disbelief that someone would go to that extreme to get away after pumping their gas," he said. Arleen Alexander, executive director of the Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama, said the organization tells gas retailers to "never try to take action themselves" during robberies and drive offs. "But I can understand why someone would want to fight for their property," Alexander said. "Fifty-two dollars doesn't sound like that much, but with the little they're making these days that's a lot." Though 2005 numbers aren't available yet, gasoline theft cost retailers nationwide $237 million in 2004 _ more than twice the $112 million loss in 2003, according to the convenience store association. On average, one in every 1,100 fill-ups was a gas theft last year. With about a penny per gallon as profit, a retailer would have to sell an extra 3,000 gallons to offset each $30 stolen, Lenard said. Mix in the fact that this summer gas prices have jumped by as much as 18 cents to about $2.55 a gallon nationally, and both retailers and consumers are beginning to lash out, experts warned. "It's a very difficult situation and you're never sure how people are going to react," said Sam Turner, president of Calfee Co. of Dalton, Ga., which operates 114 Favorite Markets in Georgia, Tennessee and northern Alabama. "It's something on everybody's mind right now because it's a commodity that virtually everybody uses. You're talking about a heck of an impact to their billfold," he said. Experts believe that part of the problem is consumers don't understand the many factors affecting gas prices _ everything from world politics to Gulf hurricanes _ and thus feel cheated. Lenard and Turner said safety and theft concerns have pushed most gas stations in the region to shift to a prepay policy, but even that is not a perfect solution. Gas stations owners rely on drivers to come in their stores to purchase drinks, snacks and other merchandise, which furnishes most of their profits. A prepay policy cuts down on browsing and buying. "We're in uncharted territory. We're seeing more people going to prepay than ever before," Lenard said. "I think we'll look back on 2005 and say 'Remember when we used to be trusted to pay for our gas?'" ___ On the Net: National Association of Convenience Stores at http://www.nacsonline.com Petroleum & Convenience Marketers of Alabama at http://www.pmaa.org/petroshows/Alabama.htm 050822 212422 Copyright 2005 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. FAIR USE NOTICE: All original content and/or articles and graphics in this message are copyrighted, unless specifically noted otherwise. All rights to these copyrighted items are reserved. Articles and graphics have been placed within for educational and discussion purposes only, in compliance with "Fair Use" criteria established in Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976. The principle of "Fair Use" was established as law by Section 107 of The Copyright Act of 1976. 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