LAUREL, Md. — Someone is going around gas stations in Anne Arundel County stealing from customers while they pump gas.
Police say the trend picked up over the month of May.
Several cases occurred in the Hanover and Laurel areas, specifically in the 3300 and 3400 blocks of Laurel Ft. Meade Road.
The thieves target victims who appear to be distracted and not paying attention.
"They surreptitiously enter the victims vehicle while they're distracted, while they're pumping gas, not paying attention to their belongings and they take whatever they can get their hands on," said Anne Arundel County Police Corporal, Chris Anderson. "They're facing the pump to see how many gallons they're filling up with or how much money they are losing out of their own wallet as they're pumping gas and not to mention the guy or girl who is stealing that item out of their passenger seat."
Not much is known about the culprits other than they're believed to be driving a gray Audi and white Honda Accord.
In the meantime police urge residents to either hold onto their property while getting gas or locking the car doors.
Anyone with more information can call 410-222-8610.
Below are five locations where thefts have been reported.
- BP Gas Station - 3396 Laurel Ft Meade Road, Laurel
- Royal Farms - 3470 Laurel Ft . Meade Road, Laurel
- Royal Farms - 7910 Shipley Homestead Drive, Hanover
- Sunoco Gas Station - 2739 Annapolis Road, Hanover
- Shell Gas Station - 3460 Laurel Ft. Meade Road, Laurel
