POST FALLS - Thieves are again on the move siphoning gas from U-Haul trucks parked at a Post Falls storage business.

During a routine patrol, a Post Falls police officer early Monday found that eight trucks had been targeted at Ross Point Mini Storage at 3856 E. 12th Ave.

It was the latest case in a string of gas thefts at the business, said manager Tina Fehrenbacher.

"We can go a month without any, then boom, we'll have three or four in a row," she said.

Fehrenbacher said Monday it was unclear how much gas was stolen from the vehicles in the latest case. The trucks are not parked within the fenced portion of the business.

Without locks on the gas caps, Fehrenbacher said, the trucks are popular targets for thieves. She said the business plans to review its surveillance video to see if a suspect or vehicle can be identified.

Post Falls police Capt. Greg McLean said the business has been targeted enough that officers make it part of their routine checks, which was the case on Monday.

An officer said he smelled a strong odor of gas while driving through the parking lot at 4:38 a.m.

"I noticed the twist caps were twisted off the tanks and there were fuel can nozzles on the ground below the open caps," the officer wrote in his report. "I searched the area for people, but was unable to locate anyone or any fuel cans."

McLean said U-Haul gas theft suspects can be secluded if there are multiple trucks parked by each other. The large tanks on the side of the vehicles also offer easy access. Generally, the tanks are full because the truck users are required to fill them before returning them.

Those circumstances make the trucks popular theft targets, McLean said.

Those with information are urged to contact Post Falls Police at 773-3517 or leave a tip at www.postfallspolice.com.