Spiking Gas Prices Have Police Warning About Drive Offs

A refinery shut down in Illinois has caused gas prices to spike again, in some places over the $4 mark.  Muskego Police have noted a similar spike in gas drive offs, but some have been unintentional.

"With the price of gas approaching what some of us paid for our first cars, we have had a rash of people not paying for gasoline," stated Lt. Dave Constantineau. 

"While many of them are intentional, a great many of them have been the result of the pumps not accepting a credit card and the driver leaving without realizing it," he added. Cards that are declined generally restart the transaction process, and grabbing the pump nozzle triggers the system to assume the driver will be paying inside.

Overall, Constatineau hinted that it's best to not be in a hurry and skip waiting for your receipt.

"When paying at the pump, make sure your card is accepted, and keep your receipt.  It may keep you from being needlessly embarrassed or inconvenienced," he said.