Acquaintances of a 23-year-old Spotsylvania man were apparently getting a steal at the pumps.
That ended last week, though, Prince William police said Monday.
Phillip Harris is facing charges of grand larceny and opening pumps used to dispense gasoline — a class 6 felony — for allegedly stealing thousands of dollars worth of gasoline from a Woodbridge service station, said 1st Sgt. Kim Chinn, Prince William police spokeswoman.
According to police, Harris stole a device that allowed him to turn the gas pumps on after the station’s closing.
Chinn said Harris would call his acquaintances to meet him at the station for a fill-up at half price.
Police received an anonymous tip a few days before Harris’ arrest on Thursday and set up surveillance on the gas station, Chinn said.
That night, Chinn said investigators caught Harris in the act at the Chevron station at 14496 Gideon Drive. Harris was never employed at the station, according to police.
The device used to turn the pumps on was recovered from Harris at the time of his arrest, police said.
Police believe that the scam may have started as early as January. The stolen gasoline has been valued in excess of $50,000, Chinn said.
He was held in lieu of a $5,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court July 30.
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