Caught my neighbor stealing my gas. Should I report him?

Question

Hey guys, how mad do you get over gas? Would you say it could possibly end a friendship? My friend isn't the richest person, he's quite poor actually. He feeds a family of 2 (wife and kid) or at least tries to. He works 30-35 miles away and drives an old Toyota Corolla, the only car his family has. 2 months ago his wife broke her leg and she's off of work for right now. She'll be out for another 4 months the doctor's predict. He's trying to make ends meet. He's given up drinking and smoking so he can provide 3 meals to his family. His problem now is that his money is going to gasoline. That is where I get tied into this problem. For the passed couple months I've noticed that my car has never been over half full. I fill it up and the next day it's at half a tank. I drive a Yaris and it gets decent gas milage, but it's still half a tank. Well last night I heard a big bang, like a drum cymbal. I peeked out my window and there he was, cyphoning gas out of my tank. I confronted him and he kept apologizing and I was a bit heated at the moment. I didn't have a a problem until he got nervous and backed over the gas bucket and tipped it over. After that we got into a bit of a scuffle, and now that I think about it I feel bad. There was a bit of yelling, and my mom woke up and saw us fighting and I got into one little fight my mom got scared and said "you're moving with your auntie and uncle in belair." I whistled for a cab and when it came near the license plate said fresh and had a dice in the mirror. If anything I could say that this cab was rare but I thought man forget it yo home to belair. I pulled up to a house about seven or eight andI I yelled to the cabbie "yo holmes smells ya later." Looked at my kingdom I was finally there to sit on my throan as the prince of belair.

Answer 1

I think if this is an on going habit I would report him to the police. I would help him by getting groceries for him and his family  if you can afford to help him occasionally. Maybe you can have a food drive for him or direct him to the food pantry to help feed his family. The man sounds like he has fallen on hardtimes and could use a little help. The thing I would do is next time he steals gasoline videotape the incident and report him.

Answer 2

set up a camera, catch him again, and report it to the police...

Answer 3

Anyway you try to rationalize it, it is stealing. Go to your neighbor and tell him you know he stole gas from you. Tell him you don't want to call the Police but if it happens again, you will call them. That way he has an option. If you say nothing he thinks he can get away with it and will keep on doing it. Then get a locking gas cap. I know I can't afford to support my neighbor, no matter how sorry I feel for him.

Answer 4

Maybe your Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv can lend him some money??

Answer 5

Talk to the neighbor,maybe he thinks you can afford to be chartiable,doesn't make it right.But getting arrested will only make things worse.Talk first,then buy a locking gas cap.If after that he steals from you again call the police.I fear we may see lots of these type crimes,not all should be in jail but neither is it any excuse.

Answer 6

no dont report! go steal his gas now! and call it even... Well have a good time at Uncle Phil's house.

Answer 7

stealing is stealing.  and he has apparently been doing this for a couple of months.  you are not responsible for his finances, but he is responsible for stealing from you.

if you still feel that you two can be friendly, dont tell on him.  unless he does it again.  if you go this route, you need to talk to him about what happened, and tell him you will call the police if he does that again.

otherwise, do you have any physical evidence that he is going this?  like, gas receipts or pictures or a witness (did your momma really see the scuffle?).  you probably need to have these in order before you call the popo.

Answer 8

Aren't you tired of this yet?  You need activity; go outside and play.  Idle hands are the devil's workshop...in your case, the devil's keyboard.

Answer 9

confront him again

tell him your sorry for yelling at him

and if he does it again then

your calling the cops

Answer 10

Well if your being honest about the neighbor stealing you gas!!! If you feel that bad for him, why don't you try to help him out a little. Tell him that you would rather get him some gas than see him steal it from you. On the other hand, if you're you don't want to help him and you see him stealing it from you again, call the police. There are a lot of people out there doing stuff like this and it's sad. Maybe if you don't want to give him cash for gas to help him out, you could buy a few groceries for him and his family, that way he can save a little bit of cash that way and buy his own gas. Either way, if he continues to do it I would report him. Now as for your Fresh Prince ending, that was very tacky of you, if this is a real problem you want answered!

Answer 11

Well I guess this is more of a matter of opinion, but of course there are limits as to how many times he would continue on stealing your gas before it could really put a dent in your own wallet.

"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

If he really does stop stealing your gas, then might be just better to leave this one time go..... sorry that I can't really help since its kind-of a matter of opinions.

Answer 12

It reminds me when I picked up this young girl hitchhicking.  She thought I was cute but was reluctant to get in my car.  She thought I might be a deranged lunatic.  I asked "would a lunatic have a Porsche like this?"

She agreed and we were on our way

She was looking very good and so was I, I must say - word

We hit McDonald's, pulled into the drive

We ordered two Big Macs and two large fries with Cokes

She kicked her shoes off onto the floor

She said, "Drive fast, speed turns me on"

She put her hand on my knee, I put my foot on the gas

We almost got whiplash, I took off so fast

The sun roof was open , the music was high

And this girl's hand was steadily moving up my thigh

She had opened up three buttons on her shirt so far

I guess that's why I didn't notice that police car

We're doing ninety in my Mom's new Porsche

And to make this long story short - short

When the cop pulled me over I was scared as h**l

I said, "I don't have a license but I drive very well, officer"

So you can imagine it was awkward for me

Answer 13

Go to an auto supply store and buy a gas cap lock.