Urgent warning as thieves DRILL into gas tanks to steal fuel as prices soar – how to protect your car from costly damage

POLICE have warned Americans about thieves drilling into gas tanks to steal fuel as prices across the nation continue rising.

While gas thieves usually use rubber tubes to siphon the gas out, Washington state officials say they have seen cases of people using power tools instead.

GettyPolice have warned about thieves using power tools to steal fuel from cars[/caption]

APAmericans are being advised to park their vehicles inside garages or in well-lit areas[/caption]

“With the sharp and fast rise of price at the gas pumps we are seeing an increase in gas theft,” said the Everett police department.

These modern-day thieves use power tools to drill a hole in the gas tank and steal fuel, the department added.

Americans are being advised to park their vehicles inside garages or in well-lit areas where thieves are less likely to target a vehicle.

Additionally, police are reminding car owners that it can be dangerous to drive with a damaged gas tank.

The department continued: “The cost of damage to the gas tank far exceeds that of the gasoline and we recommend that you park your vehicle in a garage or well-lit and high traveled area to help deter would-be thieves.”

If you notice your car’s tank is damaged, you should call 911 to report the damage and fuel theft.

Prices at the pump continue to hit the wallets of Americans.

The rise in inflation, coupled with the political climate in Eastern Europe, continues to hike gas prices.

Some parts of the country are already facing steeper prices, with folks in San Francisco shelling out more than $5 per gallon.

California isn’t the only state seeing prices spike at the pump.

As AAA reports, several states are also seeing a large jump in gas prices.

This includes New York at $4.36 per gallon, Illinois at $4.42 per gallon, Nevada at $4.62 per gallon, and Washington at $4.54 per gallon.

At this time last year, prices sat at just over $2.46 per gallon in many states.

In fact, the national average for a gallon of gasoline has not been this high since July 2008.

AFPPrices at the pump continue to hit the wallets of Americans[/caption]