$28,000 worth of free gas leads to legal troubles for 45-year-old Dawn Thompson
In Nebraska, a woman finds herself on the wrong side of the law after taking advantage of a glitch at a local gas station pump that allowed her to obtain free gas for over six months. As gas prices continue to climb, the prospect of cheaper fuel may be tempting, but this case serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of illegal activities.
Dawn Thompson, a 45-year-old resident of Lincoln, Nebraska, is facing a felony charge of theft by unlawfully taking over $5,000. She was arrested on March 6, 2024, following an investigation that revealed she had exploited a software glitch to obtain approximately 7,414 gallons of gas, valued at nearly $28,000.
The glitch was traced back to a 2022 update in the pump services’ software, which inadvertently allowed customers to enter a demo mode by swiping their rewards card twice. This mode enabled them to use the pump without paying for the fuel.
The issue came to light when Bosselman Enterprise’s loss prevention manager reported a fuel scam at the Pump and Pantry near West O Street and Sun Valley Boulevard. After reviewing security footage and transaction records, investigators discovered that Thompson’s card had been used repeatedly to exploit the system error.
Further investigation revealed that another woman had also been using the card in 2023. She told police that Thompson had allowed her to use the card for discounted gas and claimed to have paid Thompson $500 for $700 worth of gas over ten uses. She also mentioned selling the card in June 2023, although the fuel exploit was fixed on June 1.
As of now, it is unclear whether the second woman will face any charges. Meanwhile, Thompson was arraigned on Thursday, and her next court hearing is scheduled for April 11. She was not listed in the Lancaster County jail’s inmate roster as of Friday.
This case highlights the potential legal consequences of exploiting technological glitches for personal gain and serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical behavior in all aspects of life, including at the gas pump.
