SIX GAS STATION CUSTOMERS ARRESTED FOR "TOPPING OFF"
A 91-year-old great grandmother was one of six people arrested by Bay Area Air Quality Management District SWAT team officers during a sting Tuesday morning. "I was pumping gas into my Buick and after the pump clicked off, I squeezed just a teeny bit more in," said an embarrassed Pearl Guthman. It was the "squeezing just a teeny bit more in" that landed Guthman in jail. "She's a scofflaw," said BAAQMD SWAT team leader Ben Chilpeck. "There are plenty of signs telling people not to top off, but they still do it. They're breaking the law. Plus, it's bad for the air and it can lead to spillage."
The gas station's attendant, who identified himself only as "Moe," said SWAT officers were dressed in camouflage gear and hid in the shrubbery surrounding the Shell station. "I don't want to complain, but it seems like using a flash-bang device was overkill and maybe a little dangerous at a gas station," said Moe. When asked about the use of the device, Chilpeck said team members never discuss tactics, but added, "Remember, when it comes to pumping gas, one click and that's it."
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