While most citizens are paying record high gas prices, thieves are finding even more ways to steal it!

As gas prices continue to soar erratically, creative thieves are going to new extremes to gain this valuable resource. Over the past couple months we have saw an abundance of strange gas thefts popping up everywhere. I've taken the time to compile a list of some of the strangest and most bizarre stories ever encountered, new and old.

1. A young male was caught on surveillance tape stealing gasoline from a farmer's tank in Escalon, California. After multiple attempts to break into the tank's lock, this idiot expresses his frustration and resorts to a cutting torch, planning on burning his way into the container.

2. A suspect in North Oaks, Minnesota was recently caught with a system of elaborate hoses, an auxiliary fuel pump, and activation switches that allowed him to siphon gas from the comfort of his drivers seat. (more...)

3. Two men in Orange County, Florida developed a sophisticated system of humongous tanks hidden within a trailer with a capacity of a thousand gallons. They parked their trailer over the station's underground tanks as if their truck was broken down and then begin stealing gas through a hole in the bottom of their trailer. (more...)

4. An 18 year old man in Colorado was forced to rush himself to the hospital after he used a cigarette lighter to look inside a portable gas tank to see how full it was. He suffered severe burns to his hands as his siphoning scheme backfired. (more...)

5. Cops were on a stakeout to find a repeat arsonist offender when he stupidly feel into their trap. They watched as he exited his home with a bucket in hand and approached one of their unmarked cars. He began siphoning gas from the car when the officer inside got out and gave chase. (more...)

6. Why siphon gas from your neighbor's truck when you can steal an entire gas truck? That's just the idea a Houston man had as he hijacked a fuel tanker loaded with 7,500 gallons of gasoline and emptied over half of it. At $4.00 a gallon, that equates to a $30,000 loss. (more...)

This is just a few of the weird gas thefts we've came across recently, but as gas nears five dollars a gallon expect thieves to cut hoses, drill gas tanks, pry open fuel doors, or whatever desperate measure it takes. Gas crimes are definitely on the rise so you may need to take extra precaution to ensure you're not the next victim. Investing in a $10-20 locking fuel cap may be a good deterrent and well lit parking spaces always help too. Check out Jay Leno's plan to avoid paying for gas.