Overview
- Police in Northlake warned Monday that thieves are inserting a small screw into a fuel pump’s nozzle cradle so the lever cannot fully close and the pump continues to register the transaction.
- Authorities released a photo of a screw lodged in a pump and issued step-by-step safety guidance for motorists, and local media amplified the alert.
- Motorists are told to visually inspect the nozzle cradle, wait for the pump screen to return to zero or ask for a receipt, listen for the nozzle click, print receipts, and refuse unsolicited help.
- Police have not disclosed how many incidents have been reported or the exact locations of tampered pumps, and the investigation is ongoing.
- If you suspect you were charged for fuel you did not buy, report the jammed pump to station staff, contact Northlake police, and notify your bank or card issuer to dispute unauthorized charges.