Pocatello daycare vans vandalized and gas stolen

The Lighthouse Preschool and Daycare center in Pocatello is warning the community after thieves damaged company vans and stole gas.

The daycare caught two men on surveillance video approaching the van.

A couple of weeks ago, the gas lines on all three of the daycare’s vans were cut and the gas siphoned. The mechanic who fixed the vans said the cuts were clean and looked to have made by some sort of razor. Then, last weekend, the windows were smashed in with a fire extinguisher.

Corey Lewis, owner of the daycare, said when they posted what happened on Facebook, others in the area said they’ve had similar problems.

“One of my staff put it on FB asking around in this area, if they were having the same problem, and multiple people are saying that they are having their gas siphoned out, lots of people are having their gas lines cut and the gas taken out,” Lewis explained. “Somebody yesterday even had all their gas lines cut in their dump truck.”

Lewis said many people around Pocatello are having the same situation and are concerned.

We were unable to get in touch with Pocatello police to find out if they had multiple reports of stolen gas or vehicle vandalism within the city of Pocatello, where many of those on social media say they are seeing the problem.

Chubbuck police said within their city limits, they have not had any cases with vehicle vandalism or gas siphoning. Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen did say gas siphoning is sometimes common around the area.

Nielsen added that sometimes, with crimes like this, people don’t always report it so police don’t know it’s a problem. He encouraged anyone who did have an issue like this to report it.

The daycare had to pay hundreds of dollars to replace the damage.

Lewis did add that they could see in the video the suspects left in a silver car, that appeared to be a Prius. The daycare asks if anyone has information that could help find the thieves, to please contact police.