SUV Tracked Down After Alleged ₱7,000 Gas Station Escape
SUV – A routine fuel stop in Misamis Oriental quickly turned into a police case after an SUV allegedly sped off without paying for a full tank of diesel.
Police are investigating an alleged “gas and run” incident involving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) that reportedly left a gas station in Misamis Oriental without paying for more than ₱7,000 worth of diesel fuel.
According to the initial police investigation, the SUV arrived at a gasoline station and requested a full tank of diesel. The pump attendant proceeded with the refueling, unaware that the transaction would soon turn into a troubling incident.
After the tank was filled, the vehicle allegedly sped away without settling the bill, leaving the gas station staff shocked and worried. The unpaid fuel amounted to over ₱7,000, a significant loss that could have been charged to the pump attendant if left unresolved.
The attendant later told authorities that the driver had already been acting suspiciously even before leaving the station. Sensing that something was not right, the attendant immediately reported the matter to the police out of fear that the unpaid diesel might be deducted from his salary.
Authorities quickly launched an investigation and reviewed CCTV footage from the gas station. The surveillance video reportedly provided a clear view of the SUV’s license plate, which became a crucial lead in tracking down the vehicle.
With the help of the footage, police conducted a hot pursuit operation. The SUV was eventually intercepted in Iligan City, preventing the case from going unresolved.
Lemuel Tecson, assistant investigator of the El Salvador City Police Station, said that the registered owner of the vehicle denied being the one behind the wheel at the time of the incident.
Despite the denial, the registered owner reportedly reached out to the gas station and expressed willingness to settle the cost of the diesel. This move was seen as an effort to ensure that the pump attendant would not shoulder the unpaid amount.
For now, the SUV has been temporarily returned to its owner since the gas station management has yet to file a formal complaint.
Police continue to encourage all parties involved to cooperate fully in the ongoing investigation to establish what really happened.
Authorities also noted that this is not the first reported case of a “gas and run,” as similar incidents involving motorists leaving fuel stations without paying have surfaced in the past.
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