A hole was allegedly drilled into Darryl Matthews tank last week in an attempt to steal gasoline ( submitted photo/ Darryl Matthews)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Gas theft victim urges vigilance after hole drilled in tank

Aug 9, 2021 | 5:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- Darryl Matthews vividly remembers the moment he realized there was something not quite right about his truck.

It happened last week. Matthews parked his truck at his workplace in the city’s southwest industrial district before taking off for the day in his company’s vehicle. But when he came back, 24 hours later. His truck was not the same.

The gas cap was loose, and he noticed he was without fuel.

“I went out to the Tempo gas station, pre-paid for some gas and that’s when I started pumping it, next thing you know it is a lake underneath my pick up,” he said.

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Matthews bent over and noticed a small hole the size of his finger at the bottom of his gas tank.

“I’ve just never had anything like this happen to me before. I mean I’ve had gas stolen, I’ve had people siphon gas but never in my life have I had someone drill a hole in the gas tank of my vehicle,” he said.

The Medicine Hat Fire Service came to seal up the hole.

His truck will be in the shop for days, as the entire gas tank has to be replaced, and Matthews has to pay the price, even though he didn’t do it.

“So a $700 repair and I get to pay $500 of it because of the insurance deductible. So I’m not a very happy guy right now,” he said.

“I’m outraged. I am beyond outraged,” he said.

Matthews urges everyone to watch their surroundings and to be vigilant, in order to avoid a similar circumstance.

The Medicine Hat Police Service said the incident is one of at least two incidents that occurred last week on August 4, and they are now looking for possible suspects. Police said they are aware of some social media posts, with what appears to be a possible suspect vehicle in a separate incident and they will be following up on any leads.

“It’s not very common.Taking a steel drill bit to a steel tank is a recipe for disaster, as far as combustion and fire risk go. But as far as we have had, it is not very often that we have had it, and I suspect it might be the result of rising fuel costs,” acting Staff Sgt. Harley Kesler said.

To keep your vehicle safe, police recommend parking in well-lit areas, and to check your mileage and fuel usage to spot anything unusual. Police also recommend a locking gas cap to make it more difficult for offenders to siphon gas.

Criminal charges for stealing gas range, from mischief to theft, according to Kesler.

Police are asking business owners in the southwest industrial area to check their surveillance video, in order to help them in their investigation. The incidents are believed to have taken place during daytime hours.

As for Matthews, he is back on the road in his wife’s vehicle, waiting for the day when he can get his beloved truck back.