By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – The signs says: "Drive-offs in Michigan don't drive." While police reports seem to suggest an increasing number of drive-offs, many are caught within moments.
Angela Burns, manager for the Niles Shell on S. 11th, is pleased at the low number of actual drive-offs the station has to endure.
"Security here is tight. Usually if we do experience a drive-off it will be because a credit card wasn't accepted. The screen will display the 'see attendant' message, but sometimes people think they just didn't get their receipt," she said.
A different gas station employee, who asked not to be identified, said they were tag-teamed earlier this year by some younger drivers. However, they suggested for the most part the warnings of losing one's license seems to work in deterring the drive-off problem.
Lt. Fulton Moore of the City of Niles Police Department has some advice for those who might consider beating the cost of gas by driving off.
"If you drive off without paying, a station owner does not have to accept the money even if you do go back to pay. They have the option of refusing the money. They can then get a warrant and take you to court," he said.
"I can honestly say we really have not had all that many – maybe seven a week in all. I think people are just better than that. In the long run they know it will cost everyone." Fulton said.
With new technologies such as cameras and other devices recording every transaction at the pumps, drivers will have to live with the increases.