Gas theft caught on tape

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Owner Berhane Merhazrin says he would like to "get my money back."

The Eritrea immigrant opened his store seven months ago. He had to work as a cab driver for nine years, saving his money to finance his dream. He was barely getting by and then this happened.

"It hurts," Merhazrin said. "We just start the business somehow. Our money we borrow from our friends. It's not even all our money."

It took two hours to drain the premium tanks dry. As the surveillance video shows, the pumps looked like a busy valet parking stand. Two suspects appear to take money for the gas, which the owner suspects was sold for half price.

One man in a truck came back twice to fill up a 100-gallon drum.

"Half-price, yeah I would get it," said customer Nastaskia Watson.

But customers who know the owner and how hard he works were upset about the situation.

"It bothers me because (the owner) is a part of our community," said customer Fanci Thomas. "He's trying to service our community. And that's why businesses leave because you have this kind of stuff going on around your neighborhood."

Merhazrin said he would love to see the thieves pay the $4,000 bill and spend some time in jail.

Meanwhile, the average gas price hit $3.94 a gallon in Charlotte on Thursday, tying a record.