AUSTIN, Texas -- High prices at the pump have driven some people to steal from other drivers.

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Some thieves are using hoses to siphon fuel from gas tanks. A police officer in Texas even became a victim, KXAN-TV in Austin reported.

"I had filled up with gas the night before and I got to my truck about 5:30 in the morning and saw that I had about three quarters of a tank of gas instead of a full tank of gas. So, I knew somebody had siphoned off about five gallons of gas," Officer Darrell Halstead said.

When asked how that made him feel, Halstead said: "As a police officer, kind of foolish. I should have known better, but in a small town, you wouldn't think it would happen out there."

But it did, and according to Juan Hernandez, a manager at a Texas automotive store, it's happening more often than some might think.

"I didn't think it happened that much, but a lot of people are coming in and saying that they're getting their gas stolen," Hernandez said.

Hernandez said his customers are looking to buy new gas caps.

Halstead said one of the biggest lessons he's learned, and one of the biggest tips he can give drivers concerned about this happening to them, is to get a locking gas cap available at just about any auto parts store.

"It takes a couple of extra seconds when you're filling up with gas, but at least you know that you're going to actually have to work to get that gas cap off," he said.

Authorities said they saw more of this sort of crime when gas prices topped $2 a gallon. They said until prices dip back under that price, drivers should take every precaution to keep their cars safe.