Police: Pre-Pay Policy Reduces Gas Theft in Cedar Rapids

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By Kelli Sutterman

Story Created: Jan 5, 2011 at 6:49 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 5, 2011 at 6:49 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Gas prices are rising, so Cedar Rapids police are advising service stations to continue their pre-pay policies.

When gas prices jumped back in 2008, the city had dozens of reports each month of people driving off without paying after filling up.

Then police urged stations to start requiring drivers to pre-pay, and the drive-offs instantly dropped.

Last year, the city had only six drive-off reports the whole year. So police say the pre-pay policy is better for everyone.

"It frees them up for the customer service instead of having to write down the license plates so it makes their job a little bit easier as well,” said Sgt. Cristy Hamblin of the Cedar Rapids Police Department.

Driving off without paying for gas is against the law, and the driver's license could be suspended.

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