Police arrest man syphoning gas at Home Depot

Dwayne Vanvleet, 42, of Michigan, was arrested March 17 for injuring or tampering with a motor vehicle, larceny and criminal damage to property at Home Depot on US 550.

Officers responding to Home Depot on a report of suspicious activity saw a man holding a gallon jug with what looked like fuel next to a truck. He then attempted to pour the liquid into his own gas tank. Once he made eye contact with officers, he quickly put the jug into front passenger side of his car. Officers noted the truck was leaking gas.

Vanvleet told police he filled the gallon jug and was going to pour it into his tank. He said he did not drill a hole in the tank and that it was already leaking when he pulled into the parking lot. He said he figured he get some gas and fill his tank.

The assistant manager of Home Depot told police the store would like to press charges.

The damage done to the truck was estimated at $1,700 for a new gas tank. The vehicle also had a full tank of gas, which is valued at $400.

Vanvleet will serve a little over a year in prison if convicted.