The rising price of gasoline is evidently spurring an increase in the number of Texas motorists who drive away without paying after filling up.

A gas station and convenience store manager in San Angelo says
drive-offs have doubled in recent months.

Shot's manager Jean Harrell blames the higher cost of gasoline.

Harrell says for a long time she and her crews didn't have any
gas drive-offs, but they’ve surged since the first of the year.

She says since January, at least two-dozen people have driven off without paying for gasoline. Harrell says that's cost her store more than $400.

Harrell says the clerk on duty has to pay the gas tab if the worker doesn't try to identify the person or get the vehicle's license plate in order to help police catch the thief.

Store employees have binoculars on hand to try to I-D fleeing vehicles.