'This is a first for us': Winnipeg car-sharing service hit by gas theft

A car-sharing business in Winnipeg says it too has had fuel stolen from one of its fleet vehicles in what police say is a potentially deadly method of gas theft.

A car-sharing business in Winnipeg says it too has had fuel stolen from one of its fleet vehicles in what police say is a potentially deadly method of gas theft.

Will Belford, fleet manager at Peg City Car Co-op, said around Tuesday last week, a member arrived at a booked car parked in the downtown area.

"They noticed some of the snow was melted under the car. They smelled the aroma of gas. They hopped in and started it up and noticed that it was empty, you know, all the way down to the light," he said.

"We dispatched staff to go and inspect, and yes indeed, someone had drilled one of our fuel tanks."

He said the member was able to get another Peg City vehicle, and the car that was damaged was repaired in short order.

"When you have a fleet of vehicles and they're dispatched throughout the city, any number of things happens to them," he said. "But the drilling of a fuel tank, which I can only guess is to remove the fuel – this is a first for us."

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