'Screw scam' spurs new fears for drivers when filling their tanks
EDITORS NOTE: More questions have been raised after a small town police department in Virginia posted on social media about an apparent "screw scam" involving a gas pump. Since then, some have said what was alleged as a potential scam is not possible or highly unlikely. FOX Television Station reporters have reached out to various government agencies across the country.An inspector with the Minnesota Department of Commerce Weights and Measures Division provided the following statement:"The few videos I have seen show someone jamming a screw into the boot of the dispenser, causing the internal activator to be pinned in an upward position. If this is truly how it’s done, then I am skeptical because the dispenser shuts off when you place the nozzle back into the boot. So, if I jammed something in there to make that internal valve stay up, then wouldn’t it behave as if the nozzle had been hung up? I would think you need the pump activated to do this. That said, we do have a tip for people so they don’t fall victim to this scam if it’s happening: Get a receipt. A receipt cannot be generated until the pump has been deactivated after fueling."FOX Television Station reporters also reached out to Gas Buddy, a popular mobile and web platform that helps drivers find the cheapest gas prices.
EDITORS NOTE: More questions have been raised after a small town police department in Virginia posted on social media about an apparent "screw scam" involving a gas pump. Since then, some have said what was alleged as a potential scam is not possible or highly unlikely. FOX Television Station reporters have reached out to various government agencies across the country.An inspector with the Minnesota Department of Commerce Weights and Measures Division provided the following statement:"The few videos I have seen show someone jamming a screw into the boot of the dispenser, causing the internal activator to be pinned in an upward position. If this is truly how it’s done, then I am skeptical because the dispenser shuts off when you place the nozzle back into the boot. So, if I jammed something in there to make that internal valve stay up, then wouldn’t it behave as if the nozzle had been hung up? I would think you need the pump activated to do this. That said, we do have a tip for people so they don’t fall victim to this scam if it’s happening: Get a receipt. A receipt cannot be generated until the pump has been deactivated after fueling."FOX Television Station reporters also reached out to Gas Buddy, a popular mobile and web platform that helps drivers find the cheapest gas prices.
Midland officials provide update on shooting that left 1 dead, 10 injured
Midland Mayor Lori Blong provides an update on a mass shooting that left at least one person dead Friday.
Midland Mayor Lori Blong provides an update on a mass shooting that left at least one person dead Friday.
HPD: Man admits to death of transgender woman found near Brays Bayou
Daniel Ceron has been arrested for the death of Persia Amarra Conway. His bond has since been denied.
Daniel Ceron has been arrested for the death of Persia Amarra Conway. His bond has since been denied.
Accused Charlie Kirk killer back in court, lawyers dispute bullet comment
The legal defense team for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk want a judge to hold prosecutors in contempt for comments they made in the media about bullet fragments recovered from Kirk's body.
The legal defense team for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk want a judge to hold prosecutors in contempt for comments they made in the media about bullet fragments recovered from Kirk's body.
Suspect shot by Houston police officer, investigation underway
An investigation is underway after a suspect was shot by a Houston Police Department officer on Thursday evening. FOX 26's Mekenna Earnhart has the latest.
An investigation is underway after a suspect was shot by a Houston Police Department officer on Thursday evening. FOX 26's Mekenna Earnhart has the latest.
Pasadena police release video of officer shooting inside department parking garage
Pasadena police released video showing an officer accidentally shooting another officer in the department’s parking garage during what the chief described as horseplay involving loaded guns.
Pasadena police released video showing an officer accidentally shooting another officer in the department’s parking garage during what the chief described as horseplay involving loaded guns.
Indiana man allegedly pulls gun on teens after they called him 'cute,' police say
An Indiana man is facing several charges after he allegedly pointed a gun at teenagers because they called him "cute."
An Indiana man is facing several charges after he allegedly pointed a gun at teenagers because they called him "cute."
Arrest made for woman found dead near Houston bayou
A man has been arrested for allegedly killing a transgender woman whose body was found near Houston's Brays Bayou late last month. FOX 26's Leslie DelasBour shares the new details and what the victim's mother hopes for going forward.
A man has been arrested for allegedly killing a transgender woman whose body was found near Houston's Brays Bayou late last month. FOX 26's Leslie DelasBour shares the new details and what the victim's mother hopes for going forward.
Remains found in WA in 2000 identified as missing Hawaii man
Human remains found in Olympic National Park more than 20 years ago have been identified as Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., who was reported missing in 1998.
Human remains found in Olympic National Park more than 20 years ago have been identified as Joseph Louis Serrao Jr., who was reported missing in 1998.
American diplomat killed in Myanmar, Thai woman arrested
An American diplomat assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Yangon, the biggest city in Myanmar, was found dead with police investigating the death as a possible homicide.
An American diplomat assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Yangon, the biggest city in Myanmar, was found dead with police investigating the death as a possible homicide.
Ex-Turkey Leg Hut owner admits to hiring arsonists to burn down bar, feds say
A former owner of Turkey Leg Hut has admitted to hiring arsonists to burn down a bar six years ago, according to federal prosecutors.
A former owner of Turkey Leg Hut has admitted to hiring arsonists to burn down a bar six years ago, according to federal prosecutors.
Twice-deported convicted child predator from Cuba arrested in Texas
U.S. Border Patrol agents in south Texas have arrested a Cuban citizen with a history of child sex offense convictions who has been deported from the United States twice before, federal authorities announced.
U.S. Border Patrol agents in south Texas have arrested a Cuban citizen with a history of child sex offense convictions who has been deported from the United States twice before, federal authorities announced.
Magnolia youth softball coach arrested for online solicitation of a minor
Nathan Scott Velez, the coach of a youth softball team, was arrested in Harris County for online solicitation of a minor.
Nathan Scott Velez, the coach of a youth softball team, was arrested in Harris County for online solicitation of a minor.
Body reported in empty field near Denmark Street, HPD says
Houston police are investigating reports of a body found in northeast Houston on Thursday morning.
Houston police are investigating reports of a body found in northeast Houston on Thursday morning.
Federal jury takes 30 minutes to convict former West Texas city manager of child enticement
A federal jury has convicted the former city manager of Anson, Texas, of attempting to entice a minor for sex following an undercover law enforcement sting, federal prosecutors announced.
A federal jury has convicted the former city manager of Anson, Texas, of attempting to entice a minor for sex following an undercover law enforcement sting, federal prosecutors announced.
Texas man trafficking minors in Houston, Dallas sentenced to federal prison
Houston man Cristian Morris, 23, receives a 384-month federal prison sentence for trafficking teenage girls between illicit hubs in Houston and Dallas.
Houston man Cristian Morris, 23, receives a 384-month federal prison sentence for trafficking teenage girls between illicit hubs in Houston and Dallas.
Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Vance Boelter pleads guilty to all federal charges
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to charges stemming from the fatal shootings of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and the shootings that injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.
Vance Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday to charges stemming from the fatal shootings of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and the shootings that injured Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.
71-year-old San Antonio mariachi musician sentenced to life in prison
A 71-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison without parole after a Bexar County jury found him guilty of abusing multiple children, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced.
A 71-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison without parole after a Bexar County jury found him guilty of abusing multiple children, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced.
18-year-old on life support after fight over boy at Houston apartment complex
An 18-year-old is on life support after being stabbed in the temple during a fight over a boy in northwest Houston, according to Houston police.
An 18-year-old is on life support after being stabbed in the temple during a fight over a boy in northwest Houston, according to Houston police.
Century Plaza crash: Woman allegedly driving intoxicated, common law husband killed
A woman is in custody after allegedly driving a vehicle intoxicated and crashing, killing her common law husband, Harris County officials said.
A woman is in custody after allegedly driving a vehicle intoxicated and crashing, killing her common law husband, Harris County officials said.