I recently got some statistics from the state’s Department of Licensing that I thought would illuminate the trend of increasing fuel theft.
I was wrong. Well, wrong that there’s been more convictions for motor vehicle theft.
A motor vehicle theft law that went into effect around 2003 in Washington brought on stiffer penalties for stealing gas — a gross misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and up to a six month suspension of a person’s license.
We know that gas is being stolen more often in these days of record high oil prices.
The only answer then, is this: we’re not catching gas thieves. Here are the stats so you can see for yourself:
Convictions in the state in:
2003 — 4
2004 — 10
2005 — 18
2006 –24
2007 — 14
2008 — 2
Obviously, maybe the courts (as usual) just needs time to get these offenders through the system. So the numbers could spike soon.
I asked how much Kitsap County is involved in the above statistics. Turns out we are fourth highest of all counties — albeit with only 6 convictions — from when the law was passed (Snohomish and Spokane lead the list with 9).
