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Feisty convenience store manager tracks down car after gas payment skipped

By TIM UNRUH

Salina Journal

When someone tried to steal gas from Rod's Shamrock on Tuesday, Amanda Morgan decided she'd had enough.

The manager of the convenience store at 1339 N. Ninth, Morgan, 29, solved the gas caper by taking quick action and giving chase, albeit ill-advised.

One of Morgan's regular customers reported a car had sped away, leaving the gas pump nozzle on the concrete at 2:30 p.m.

The customer entered the store and "rattled off" the car's license tag number.

"I'm a fireball. I grabbed my purse and keys and ran to my Jeep," she said. "I was very mad. To me, people stealing gas is like taking food off of my kids' plate."

Owner Rod Bradshaw said an average of a gas skip a week occurs at one of his four convenience stores in Salina.

"I'm tired of people stealing from us. It was like 'Forget this, I'm gonna get one of these,' " Morgan said.

Already in contact with the Salina Police Department, Morgan had handed the phone to clerk Rhonda Turner, before running out of the store.

"I sped (south) down Ninth Street following the direction they had gone," she said.

Peering left and right into the north Salina neighborhoods, Morgan said she spotted the car at 10th and Lincoln.

"I went around the block and I parked in the middle of the street. She was parked on the edge of the corner," Morgan said. "I blocked her so she couldn't get out."

'My red hair took over'

She said a woman younger than 21 was in the car with another woman and a man.

"I said 'OK, one of you guys needs to give me $30.84.' The driver retorted with 'What are you talking about? I've been sitting here all day,' " Morgan recalled. "My red hair took over. I said 'No, you haven't, you just pumped 30 dollars and 84 cents at my store, and I have you on camera, so you need to pay for the gas you've stolen. The cops are on their way.' She then started calling me names."

Morgan said she called 911 on her cell phone and said " 'I need an officer here right away.' I told them where I was. They got here pretty quick."

Salina Deputy Police Chief Carson Mansfield said dispatchers broadcast an "attempt to locate" at 2:30 p.m. and confirmed Morgan's 911 call from 10th and Lincoln.

"The clerk was Amanda Morgan, and the suspect was there," Mansfield said.

There were no arrests as of 4:30 p.m. Monday, he said.

"We talked to a suspect, and we're following up with evidence collection," Mansfield said.

Among the evidence is the surveillance video, which shows a red convertible speeding from the convenience store. Later, Morgan is seen fleeing the store.

Don't chase the thieves

Chasing after gas thieves is "not advisable. Our policy is for her to not to chase them down," Bradshaw said, but he admitted that about two months ago, he pursued and caught a gas skip.

When Morgan called Bradshaw to report her chase, he said it went like this:

"She said, 'Boss, don't get mad. It turned out OK, but I chased down somebody who stole gas. I know I'm not supposed to, but I just got so mad,' " Bradshaw said.

While Morgan violated policy, Bradshaw said he's happy that the case was solved, and proud of Morgan.

"I couldn't ask for a better employee," Bradshaw said. "She treats (the store) like it's her own business, and runs it better than I could."

Fuel thefts have become so prevalent that he's considering installing equipment that requires prepayment.

Feeling feisty today

The experience was exhilarating to Morgan, who has worked 5 1/2 years for Bradshaw.

"I feel like Batman," she said. "I'll bet'ya they're never gonna steal my gas again."

After returning to the store to tell of her heroism, Morgan appeared ready for any challenge.

"I'm feeling a little feisty today," she said.

n Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at tunruh@salina.com.

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