Posted on 10/10/2007 5:32:07 AM PDT by decimon
BALTIMORE -- Police said that young boys are behind a string of criminal acts being run at some gas stations in the Baltimore area.
Kashif Kahn, owner of the BP Amoco at the corner of West North Avenue and McCulloh Street in west Baltimore, said that he's tried to warn patrons of the scam.
Officials said that when patrons swipes their cards at the pump, one of the juvenile culprits then presses a button that makes the pump appear to be broken. After that person drives off, the juveniles tell the next patron that he'll pump them half-priced gas if they pay in cash.
Officials said the culprits then pocket the cash and pump the previous person's credit card dry.
Kahn said he tried to warn customers by putting up signs, turning off pumps and calling police on the teens. But in retaliation, the teens vandalize his store. He said it's been happening for three years and that, despite constant calls to the police, they aren't getting the help they need.
Kahn said that the juveniles are becoming more aggressive, and that once they attacked a woman.
Kahn said he only gets help when the police want something in return. But police officials said they're working closely on truancy checks in the neighborhood and that they patrol the area twice a day.
Kahn's business partner said he's had to close five of his stations because he's too scared for his and his employees' safety.
Officials said that if a similar scam happens to you, go inside the station and ask the clerk at the counter to cancel the transaction and call police.
What button?
Ah, Baltimore. The land of cestpool living.
If he has the “button” disconnected, problem is solved. If he has a shotgun, reprisals are solved.
“If he has a shotgun, reprisals are solved.”
In that neighborhood, it gets him dead.
Something about this story doesn’t ring true.
Sounds like, in that neighborhood, once the button is disconnected he’s dead anyhow. And as they have assaulted his customers and vandalized his place of business, and the Police are seldom seen, don’t you think he has the right to defend himself?
Now, now, remember that Balitmore Betty is Speaker of the House.
“What button?”
Gas pumps have an emergency shutoff button in case of fire or spilled gas.
I think I’d be suspicious of a “juvenile” hanging around the pumps though.
This is why I don’t go near Balitmore or DC.
Oh yeah, I agree with his right to defend himself.
I know the neighborhood. Couldn’t pay me to have a business there. Don’t be there after dark either.
Anyway, I wish the guy luck.
Remarks like this will not endear him to his "protectors."
If this insanity has been going on for three years, there is something definitely wrong.
Soak down one of the little SOBs with gasoline, and then ask him if he wants somebody to ‘accidentally’ light a match.
Tell the rest of them that they’ll learn about ‘fighting fire with fire’.
Meanwhile, where are the Baltimore cops when these junior domestic terrorists are running rampant?
[that was a rhetorical question, we all know where the cops are, and it’s nowhere near this repeating crime scene]
Sounds right but I wouldn't know where that button is.
Nothin' from nothin' is nothin'.
And she learned nothing about running the House in a “D’Alessandro” way like a true Italiano.
Look at the front of any gas station for the “Emergency Shutoff” button. It’s required to be within reach of any motorist whose pump won’t shut off normally.
I’d have an electrician wire a disconnect to the pump’s electronics whenever the button is pushed. Simple way to solve the problem, really.
I hate when credit card thieves say that they are stealing from corporations and not people so it is OK. The card companies do NOT pay for those charges.
The business where the card was used is responsible for fraud charges. These people steal from small business owners like me. And you are always guilty until you can prove otherwise.
Going from the Mob sitdown to the mob can't may have weakened her.
And then find out there is plenty of law enforcement for someone who doesn't have friends that will take it out on the police when he is charged with attempted murder.
If this has been going on for three years, the police are either too afraid of the hoods to act or are amply compensated. Possibly both.
At this point he has the choice of fighting it and losing it all or walk away and keep his life. And family.
Probably illegal.
This is the kind of neighborhood that will eventually not have gas stations.
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