As gas prices continue to climb toward the $4-per-gallon mark in Southeast Missouri, some motorists are trying to take a free ride by driving off without paying after filling up.

Last year, gasoline theft cost the industry $134 million, according to the Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing. The average loss per store was roughly $1,000.

Last week, four area stations reported gas thefts, according to the police. Thefts occurred at Kidd's at 1325 Broadway and UKwick Stop at 1702 Broadway on Friday and at Rhodes 101 at 1624 N. Kingshighway and Jaspers at 1008 N. Kingshighway on Saturday.

When prices spike at the pump, the state as a whole sees a sharp increase in the number of gas thefts, said Ronald Leone, executive director of the Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association.

However, the Cape Girardeau Police Department reported 154 drive-offs from January through mid-June, a decrease of roughly 50 compared to the same time frame in 2007.

Still, "gas stations literally lose hundreds of thousands of dollars per location each year because of this substantial problem," Leone said.

Leone said motorists are spending more on fuel and less on luxuries such as coffee and snacks, which provide the bulk of the gross income for gas stations. When gas thefts occur, Leone said, a station's profits decrease.

Cape Girardeau police officer Freddie Hill said losses can range from $5 to $70 per theft. He said it is difficult to measure the seriousness of the problem locally.

The easiest way to decrease the number of gas thefts, he said, is by implementing a prepay policy.

"These thefts are costing businesses a good amount of money," Hill said. "If more stations would require this option, less problems would occur in our market."

Since Rhodes 101 implemented in 2007 a prepayment policy from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all 30 of its convenience stores in Southeast Missouri, the number of gas thefts at its stations has decreased.

Keith Boeller, president of Rhodes 101, said customers also have assisted its stores by spotting potential gas thieves.

"Through our customers noticing suspicious activities outside our pumps, we may have reduced potential gas thefts at our stores," Boeller said, adding, "We hope they will continue those efforts in the future."

Only two cities in Missouri require drivers to prepay for gasoline.

Last month, Charlack, near St. Louis, passed an ordinance requiring prepayment at gas stations. In 2006, Kansas City mandated that all gas sales be made on a prepay basis.

O'Fallon almost became the third city in the state to require prepayment at gas stations, but the measure fell short of passage in the town's June 26 city council meeting by a 5-4 vote.

Leone said such ordinances can harm small business owners.

"We don't need government involved with the private sector when our stores can handle the problem ourselves," Leone said. "The intrusion of government into the free market is never a good thing."

Leone said that prepayment ordinances will increase the expenses of the convenience store owners.

He said the government mandate could increase credit or debit card usage, thereby reducing and possibly eliminating profit margins on fuel sales because of the transaction fees charged by credit card companies.

For convenience stores considering a prepayment policy, Leone offered several suggestions. He said the businesses can increase store security through the installation of additional cameras or speed bumps in the parking lot to slow down escapes. Leone suggested stations require prepayment during the hours when most gas thefts occur.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137

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