Man Falls Asleep While Siphoning Gas

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A man fell asleep while siphoning gasoline into a 55-gallon tank that had been installed in the back of a van, police said.

The manager of the Swifty station on the city's south side noticed the white van parked on its lot when he arrived Tuesday morning and called police.

Inside the van, officers reported finding a man asleep next to a 55-gallon tank and a battery-operated pump. A hose from the pump led to the gas station's underground tank.

"That's a lot of gas," Police Chief Joe Winkle said. "I'm sure he felt like this would be a pretty good heist for himself."

Firefighters were called to disconnect the hose, and the man was arrested on charges of theft and possession of a firearm without a permit, Winkle said. He was being held in the Delaware County Jail.

Winkle said investigators were working to confirm the man's identity.

With regular unleaded at the station selling for $2.67, the tank would have held nearly $150 worth of fuel.