It had to happen. With the price of gasoline and diesel climbing almost daily, thieves finally have turned their attention to people’s fuel tanks.

The first report of stolen fuel to reach the Beeville Police Department came on June 10 when Patrolman Jonell Cisneros was sent to the 1500 block of East Houston Street to investigate a theft.

The officer met a 23-year-old woman at the scene who reported that her mother had found her gas cap hanging outside her vehicle when she approached the car that evening.

The woman told the officer that someone had siphoned off about a half tank. That, the woman said, was worth about $45.

The next report involved much more fuel, according to a report filed by Patrolman Mark Cruz.

He was sent to the Halliburton equipment yard at 2000 S. St. Mary’s St. at 5 p.m. on June 18. There he spoke to a 63-year-old supervisor who told him that he had found a gate broken on one side of the yard and another gate left open.

The supervisor said nothing appeared to be missing.

The next morning, however, the supervisor arrived at the yard and realized someone had broken open the cover to the breaker box that controlled the diesel fuel tank.

The man checked the tank and realized that someone had pumped out about 200 gallons of diesel worth about $796.

The supervisor checked further and discovered that eight 55-gallon drums of Baroid oil rig wash were missing.

The man said that was worth $8,208.

City police are investigating the incident and would like anyone who might have any information about the thefts to contact them at 358-8100 or call the Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 362-0206.