Aldridge caught in act of stealing gasoline, given judicial diversion

Probation was granted to a gasoline thief caught in the act siphoning gas from vehicles outside a local apartment complex Saturday night.

The defendant, Charles R. Aldridge, 33, was granted a judicial diversion Tuesday by General Sessions Judge Larry Ross given the fact the suspect had no prior criminal record. The diversion means he will be on a probation for six months, pay a fine, have to perform 16 hours public service work and write a letter apologizing to his victim. If he completes the six months with no more trouble with the law, his criminal record will be erased.

Aldridge was nabbed by police Saturday night outside Hearthwood Apartments as they were answering a call about gas thefts around the apartment complex. Officers reported seeing Aldridge run around the building as they pulled up. However, he was caught by police while he was still in the apartment complex.

During a subsequent search, a gas cap was found in Aldridge’s pocket. Police then were granted permission to look inside his vehicle at which time they found a variety of rubber hoses and jugs. Adding to the evidence was the fact police found gas being siphoned through a hose into a gas can from one of the vehicles in the parking lot, leading them to believe they had surprised the gas thief as he was in the act of stealing gas.