Gas prices fuelling theft?

Photo: CTV

Sky-high fuel prices appear to fuelling a rise in gas syphoning in Victoria.

But, police are hesitant to link the thefts to prices that have hit record highs across much of B.C.

Gas thefts are up, but not enough to call it a dramatic increase, authorities say. It could be that drivers are more angry over such thefts, as syphoning often goes unreported or even unnoticed.

Victoria HarbourCats managing partner Jim Swanson had his car drained dry in front of his home this week, and View Royal Mayor David Screech says someone not only siphoned his gas, but cut the vehicle's gas line to do it.

"(It) certainly makes you wonder if it's connected to the gas prices," he told CTV.

Premier John Horgan was adamant Wednesday that B.C.'s dispute over the Trans Mountain pipeline is not to blame for the spike in gas prices.

"I want to make it abundantly clear that the spike in gas prices that we're seeing in the Lower Mainland and on southern Vancouver Island is not a result of the Kinder Morgan pipeline, it's not a result of any disputes among parties, it's the result of a lack of supply," he told reporters at the legislature.

– with files from CTV Vancouver Island