Griffin police make arrest after they said man tried to steal gas from U-Haul truck

GRIFFIN, Ga. — The City of Griffin Police Department has arrested a man who they say made a mess trying to steal gas from some parked U-Haul trucks.

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The incident happened Wednesday morning near downtown Griffin when police say the driver of an older red Ford F-150 pickup truck got out and started drilling holes in the U-Haul tanks.

Police say that man was Jesse Smith, 25, of Griffin.

Officers say the holes created a mess, spilling five gallons of gas onto city streets that needed to be cleaned up.

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Officers say Smith did not do a good job of hiding himself as he was seen on surveillance cameras parking his truck behind a nearby Kentucky Fried Chicken, getting out of the truck and walking down the street.

Police say the spill was cleaned up in short order and all the attention given to the theft helped them search for the suspect and eventually make an arrest.

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Smith was arrested and charged with criminal damage to property and theft by taking. Police said they are still determining what charges Smith will face related to the fuel spill.

Police also thanked the public for their help in identifying the suspect in this case.

Convenience store and gas supplies update