PEMBROKE - In a case that so far has police stumped, four Pembroke residents have reported their cars were drained of fuel and, in some cases, their gas tanks punctured.

The four incidents of gas theft all occurred between the night of Friday, Nov. 16, and the following morning near Donna Drive, a housing development area in the center of town.

According to police, the stolen gas was not siphoned. Instead, the thieves crawled beneath the cars to access the gas tanks directly by removing a plug or cap if present, or otherwise simply by drilling a hole and taking "as much as they could."

"I could only imagine that they did it that way because if they're siphoning it, they're a lot more visible next to the car than they would be under the car," Lt. Gary Gaskell said.

The four victims reported the theft Saturday morning after noticing their severely depleted tanks. No reports have been made since Saturday, but according to Gaskell "that doesn't mean it hasn't happened."

Gaskell said he didn't recall similar incidents in town.

Pembroke police have identified no suspects or leads in the case.

If you have any information about the crimes or have seen someone walking with gas tanks in the area of Donna Drive, Pembroke police ask that you call them at 485-342.

bclogston@newstote.com