Men accused of siphoning gas from vehicles


By YOLANDA RODRIGUEZ
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Published on: 04/16/08

With gas prices approaching $4 a gallon, this may become popular — siphoning.

On Tuesday, Marietta police arrested three men who allegedly used a gas can and a garden hose to siphon gasoline from a Mercury Marquis, a Jeep Liberty, a Ford Explorer and a GMC Sonoma. They also used the tools to suck gas from a Pontiac and Buick, according a police incident report.

Recent headlines:


Barrett Pkwy police chase involves 2 small kids
Men accused of siphoning gas from vehicles
Scammers distract, steal from Cobb, Cherokee homes
• Cobb County news
• Find the lowest gas prices near you



"This is probably a trend you will see in the near future, as gas prices go up," said Officer Mark Bishop, a police spokesman. "They were stealing from several cars in the same complex, probably for their own use or possibly to sell."

Police arrested Ted K. Mbaya of Dallas, and Kevin M. Gitonga and George Mwangi, both of Marietta. Mbaya and Gitonga, both 20, told police they were students.

All three ran when officers approached them in the parking lot of the Silvercreek apartments at 1776 Roswell Road.

Two of the suspects, Mwangi, 19, and Gitonga were shot with Tasers.

Mwangi was hit with Taser prongs twice. The first time only one prong stuck to Mwangi, who kept running. The second time, the two prongs hit their target. Mwangi "was apprehended with no injuries," according to the incident report.

The men were each charged with felony obstruction and misdemeanor theft by taking.
[Edited 4/16/08 14:23pm]

This going 2 start happening more and more.

Graycap23 said:

Anyone who does this sh!t deserves to get shot with a Taser.

uPtoWnNY said:

I'm buying me a taser. They are dirt cheap around here.

Time 2 buy locking caps for my trucks.

Graycap23 said:

I'm telling you, we'll be reading stories about mofos catching bullets over this sh!t - book it.

Graycap23 said:

We are all running out of time, don't let Prince stay in LA.

colorblu said:

What?