Note to would-be gasoline thieves passing through rural towns.

Becoming more common in my town are people leaving out “bait” (gasoline cans with a small amount of fuel for the smell and mostly filled with water).

Tourists driving through town (particularly since we allow overnight camping free in the city park) have increasingly taken to stealing here because they don’t want to pay the high price for fuel at the general store, and it’s nearly 100 miles between stations here.

While county sheriffs here aren’t going to charge someone for stealing a gas can, the resultant damage to your car and cost to repair (plus sitting for hours waiting for a tow truck and the high cost to tow it to a mechanic) might make you re-think your choices.