The 35-year-old suspect was arrested by police on an East St. Louis Housing Authority parking lot where the agency parks its vehicles. He is accused of cutting a hole in the fence and using a hand pump to siphon gasoline from several vehicles on the lot, Detective Marion Riddle said.
The man's name was not released. Police are expected to present a case to prosecutors today.
Police were dispatched to the housing authority's lot at 683 N. 20th St. at 10:14 p.m. Wednesday to investigate a burglar alarm.
An officer found several five-gallon fuel containers on the ground between some of the housing authority's vehicles, Riddle said.
Police also located a Cadillac with some fuel containers in it that had been filled with gasoline, Riddle said.
Police recovered the keys to the vehicle from the suspect and his clothes wreaked with the smell of gasoline, Riddle said. Also, police found a hand pump.
Bill Wilkins, executive director of the housing authority, said he was not surprised because once before he recalls in 1973 or 1974 when gas prices sharply increased he heard of something like this happening.
"It's a sign of economic conditions," Wilkins said. "Our system worked and he did not get into and off the premises without being caught. This is the best we can do."
Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at 239-2503.
