A brazen thief siphoned more than $2,500 worth of gas straight from the underground tanks of a California filling station, authorities have claimed.

The suspect pulled into the Fresno gas station at North Chestnut and East McKinley avenues on Aug. 10, then allegedly stole $2,545 worth of fuel directly from the tanks.

Video of the alleged theft shows the man at the station as authorities seek the public’s help identifying him.

The suspect was described as a white adult male who wears glasses.

He was driving a black 1986 Chevrolet single cab, long-bed pickup truck with fading paint on the roof, according to authorities.

The audacious theft comes as Californians continue to get hammered at the pump, with the Golden State maintaining its status as having the most expensive gas in the country.

Statewide prices jumped from $5.58 a gallon on Aug. 19 to $5.66 by Aug. 22, according to recent figures.

Los Angeles drivers were paying even more, with the average reaching $5.73 per gallon after 14 consecutive days of increases.

The national average, meanwhile, stood at $4.08 a gallon, more than 80 cents higher than a year earlier.

AAA has attributed the elevated prices in part to turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz, which has helped keep crude oil hovering around $80 a barrel.

“Due to continued volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, crude oil prices remain in the $80 per barrel range,” AAA said in an update last week.

President Donald Trump is expected to meet with oil refining executives to discuss ways to bring down gas prices and boost domestic refining capacity.

Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s identity is strongly encouraged to contact the Fresno Police Department.

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