Gas Station Catches $7,200 Fuel Theft Scheme via Video Audit

Background

Linda K. owns a single-location gas station and convenience store in San Antonio, Texas. The station pumps approximately 110,000 gallons per month and operates 24 hours with three shifts. Linda manages the store herself during day shifts but relies on employees for evening and overnight coverage.

The Problem

Linda had noticed gradual increases in her fuel variance over the previous 6 months. Her monthly fuel reconciliation showed losses slightly above the expected threshold — nothing dramatic, but persistent. She attributed it to temperature variation (San Antonio summers cause significant fuel expansion) and normal meter drift.

The variance was concentrated in regular unleaded — her highest-volume grade. Monthly losses of 300-400 gallons above the expected threshold translated to $900-$1,200/month in unexplained cost. Over 6 months: approximately $7,200.

The DohAssist + DohShield Solution

Linda enrolled in both DohAssist (for daily fuel reconciliation) and DohShield (for video audit). The combined approach worked as a two-stage detection system:

Stage 1: DohAssist Flagged the Pattern

DohAssist's daily fuel reconciliation immediately identified that the discrepancy wasn't random — it was concentrated on specific days. Regular unleaded showed consistent losses of 40-60 gallons on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights. Tuesday, Thursday, and weekend nights showed normal variance.

The pattern aligned perfectly with one employee's schedule: Marcus, the overnight attendant who worked Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 11 PM-7 AM shifts.

Stage 2: DohShield Confirmed the Theft

DohShield's video audit team reviewed dispenser camera footage from three consecutive Monday night shifts. The footage revealed:

• 1:30 AM: Marcus accessed the dispenser cabinet and entered test mode on Pump 4
• 1:35 AM: Marcus pumped approximately 20 gallons into his personal truck parked at Pump 4
• 2:15 AM: A friend arrived in a pickup truck. Marcus pumped approximately 25 gallons using the same test mode access
• 2:20 AM: Marcus exited test mode and returned to the store

The same pattern repeated on Wednesday and Friday nights, with varying amounts (15-30 gallons per vehicle, 2-3 vehicles per night). Total fuel diverted per week: approximately 100-150 gallons.

The Evidence Package

DohShield compiled a comprehensive evidence package including:

• 12 video clips across 4 weeks showing Marcus accessing the dispenser, entering test mode, and pumping fuel into non-paying vehicles
• Corresponding DohAssist data showing the exact dispenser-to-POS discrepancy for each night, matching the gallons visible in the video
• Pattern analysis showing the theft only occurred on Marcus's shifts and aligning fuel losses to his schedule
• Cumulative loss estimate of $7,200 over 6 months based on documented per-shift losses extrapolated to his full employment period

Results

Marcus was terminated immediately. Linda filed a police report with the DohShield evidence package, and Marcus was charged with theft. Linda also changed all dispenser access codes and restricted test mode access to herself only.

Following the termination, Linda's fuel variance returned to within normal limits. Monthly fuel losses dropped from $1,200/month to essentially zero unexplained variance — confirming that the entirety of the excess loss had been theft.