The Journal looks at how gas prices are affecting locals in this six-part series. Today: Gas thefts on the rise/ Monday: How are businesses, the county and other government agencies are affected by prices.

Pinched at the pump is translating into petroleum plundering.

Police across the nation are reporting an increase in gas tank-tapping — the drilling or puncturing of gas tanks or gas lines to drain the petroleum booty that now averages more than $4 a gallon.

“It is crazy that someone would go to this trouble for five gallons of gas,” said Vicky Sanders, owner of Mountain Tops Spa Covers in Meadow Vista, who was hit by thieves last week. “Back in the day at least they would siphon gas, but they cut two fuel lines. So we are not just losing the diesel, we are having to pay for the repairs.”

Sanders said she estimates a loss of $25 worth of gas from the delivery vehicle will end up costing her a total of $500 once all repair costs are factored in.

“All for five gallons of gas,” she said.

While gas station drive-offs and siphoning have been and are far more common methods of steal-ing gas, reports of tank and line puncturing are starting to trickle into law enforcement agencies across the country.

But tracking the theft has proven difficult for local law enforcement.

“It is impossible to know how many victims there are in Placer County because if people don’t re-port it, we have no way of knowing if it’s a problem,” said Dena Erwin, spokeswoman for the Placer County Sheriff’s Department. “Either people are not reporting it or it’s not happening — and we really have no way of knowing.”

Erwin said Sheriff’s officials encourage the reporting of even petty gas theft, theft of $400 or less in gas.

“Most commonly it is a small dollar amount,” she said. “But we encourage people to report any crime. Without reporting we don’t know if there is a pattern forming — and if we hear about it then that is something we can get our detectives on and begin to better address the problem.”

According to the Associated Press, tank puncturing has yet to reach the radar screens of law en-forcement organizations such as the National Sheriffs’ Association, or the Automotive Service Asso-ciation, a group that represents independent garage operators.

Tina Bakker, owner of Tina’s Garage in Auburn, said she has worked on many repairs related to gas theft.

“We have worked on siphoning repair, puncture repair — a lot of state vehicles have been hit,” Bakker said. “With a lot of older vehicles it is easy to siphon the fuel.”

Most thieves are likely to cut the line leading into the tank, she said.

“If they siphon, the customer is going to go back to the gas station and fill up again,” she said. “If they puncture the tank, they have lost that “customer,” that source, and the ability to steal gas from them a second time.”

There are a few ways consumers can protect themselves, she said.

“Locking gas caps are always a good thing,” Bakker said. “But they are car specific so you need to make sure that you get the right one for your car.”

She also said keeping your car in a locked garage or near light is also a good thing.

Sanders said she will no longer leave her car parked outside overnight.

“Maybe this will cause people to be more careful,” she said. “I am certainly going to be.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Journal’s Jenna Nielsen can be reached at jennan@goldcountrymedia.com or comment on this story at auburnjournal.com.