Dawn Thompson accused of obtaining over $27,000 worth of gas through a station’s system glitch, facing serious legal consequences
In Lincoln, Nebraska, 45-year-old Dawn Thompson finds herself in legal trouble after allegedly capitalizing on a glitch at a Pump & Pantry gas station to secure more than $27,000 worth of gasoline without payment. The incident, stretching over six months, led to her arrest on March 6, facing a felony theft charge for unlawfully acquiring $5,000 or more worth of fuel.
Investigators claim Thompson exploited a system flaw resulting from a procedural change in the station’s card-swiping process for payment and rewards, amassing approximately 7,413 gallons of gas valued at $27,860.27. The glitch, allowing for fuel access through a double swipe of a rewards card, put the pump into a “demo mode” that bypassed payment requirements.
The rewards card used by Thompson was reportedly obtained from a man indebted to her, who has since passed away, complicating the investigation. Beyond personal gain, Thompson is accused of distributing the “discounted fuel” to others for payments ranging between $500 and $700. She is also said to have sold the rewards card around the time the station corrected the glitch.
Thompson’s bond was set at $7,500, which she posted for release from jail. Her court appearance is scheduled for April 11, as she prepares to face the charges laid against her in this unusual case of theft by technological exploitation.
