The nightly news, newspapers, and talk radio are all full of reports and stories relating to the fuel crisis. And with fuel prices rising to over four dollars per gallon in most U.S. cities right now, law enforcement officials are documenting a whole new wave of crimes cropping up across the country.

Near Seattle, Washington, a thief was nabbed after surveillance video showed him repeatedly unlocking pumps at a closed service station and stealing 200 gallons of gasoline. Shortly after that, the Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose, California, lost 400 gallons of gas from delivery trucks that had been fueled up the night before to thieves.

Traditionally, banks were robbed because that was where the money was kept, but with today’s outrageously high gas prices, the fuel tank is where the money is kept. Savvy vehicle owners are aiming to protect their investment by purchasing and installing locking gas caps, but it wasn’t long before desperate thieves found a way around even those. Criminals are drilling, punching, and finding any way they can to get to the liquid gold that vehicle fuel tanks are carrying.

It’s only a matter of time before criminals become even more brazen and begin resorting to more confrontational means of getting what they want –whether that is cash to buy fuel or the very fuel itself. And because of this, self-defense experts recommend that motorists arm themselves with the means to protect their person, their passengers, and their fuel investment.

The best protection for motorists could be something as simple and affordable as a cell phone stun gun or a key chain-mounted pepper spray canister. They may never need to actually put these weapons to use, but being prepared and enjoying peace of mind from being in control are well worth the investment.