Thief River Falls (trfnews.i234.me) – A Thief River Falls man faces several charges after a reported gas drive-off at a local travel plaza.
Report Of Theft At Cenex Travel Plaza
On December 1 at about 10:45 a.m., police received a theft report from Cenex Travel Plaza in Thief River Falls.
Staff told officers that a driver had pumped fuel and then left without paying.
The manager reported that about $40.93 worth of gasoline was taken.
The vehicle left the lot before workers could stop the driver.
Fuel thefts like this are sometimes called “gas drive-offs” by law enforcement.
The manager obtained a clear photo of the license plate as the vehicle left.
The plate number came back to a sport utility vehicle.
Officers then reviewed store surveillance video to confirm what happened.
Suspect Identified As Local Man
On video, it allegedly appeared that the driver paid at the pump, but never scanned the payment card.
The driver was later identified as Tanner Lyle Peterson, 32, of Thief River Falls.
Officers went to 320 Calumet Avenue South, the address listed for the registered owner of the plates.
There, police spoke with Peterson about the incident and the vehicle.
Peterson allegedly told police that a friend had been driving his mother’s vehicle.
He said the friend drove because Peterson does not have a valid license.
However, the officer said the surveillance footage showed Peterson himself getting into the driver’s seat.
The officer also saw fresh footprints in the snow near the license plates on the SUV.
The SUV now carried the same plate number seen leaving the Cenex Travel Plaza.
This raised more questions about how the plates were being used.
License Plate And Registration Issues
When confronted, Peterson allegedly admitted switching license plates between his car and the SUV.
The SUV had been left at the home by a previous owner, according to the report.
Peterson has now been cited for several offenses.
Those include motor vehicle registration – unregistered, certain acts forbidden, driving after revocation, and theft of motor fuel from a retailer.
Minnesota law requires vehicles to be properly registered and display the correct plates.
More details on registration rules are listed by the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services division.
State law also makes it a crime to leave a gas station without paying after pumping fuel.
Some cases are handled as misdemeanor theft, while repeat cases can bring stiffer penalties.
General information on theft laws is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Driving after revocation is another common traffic offense in Minnesota.
Drivers can face fines, possible jail time, and further license problems for that charge.
Peterson’s case will move forward in local court, where he will have a chance to respond to the allegations.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
