Gas drive-off caught on tape

DALLAS, N.C. -- Word to the wise or the unwise: Always pay for gas, and if you don't, you might not want to leave a trail of evidence behind.

Gaston County police say they didn't have a hard time figuring out who filled up a gas tank and took off with out paying. He left a trail -- his debit card -- and the store caught everything on surveillance video.

Officers say Ted Ball came into the Crossroads General Store in Dallas on Monday morning. The store requires customers to pre-pay for their gas. Police say Ball left a debit card at the counter, and put $78 worth of gas in his truck.

“Come back in here and started giving me a sob story about his wife leaving him,” said Clerk Judy Early. “He was talking about times being hard and tough. I was feeling sorry for him.”

Ted Ball

That is until Early says other customers were waiting to pump gas and Ball went outside to move his truck. Early said Ball told her he’d be right back, but he never returned. Surveillance video shows him moving his struck, pausing, and then leaving the property.

“I see his car going off and I said, 'Oh my gosh! He's not going to pay,'” said Early.

Early ran Ball's card and it was declined.

Police are looking for Ball. He will be charged with larceny and with an outstanding petty larceny charge from South Carolina.