No gas was coming out, but Virginia man recorded gas station pump charging money

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Michael Southerland says he was at a Gulf gas station and Corner Mart off Indian River Road in Virginia Beach when he noticed something strange. 

“I heard the gas stop flowing, but I looked up and saw it was still running, it took me a couple seconds and I was like I still don’t hear the gas,” said Southerland.

He says he slowly pulled the handle out and realized there was no gas flowing.

He recorded the incident that’s now been shared on Facebook more than 5,000 times, and seen more than 100,000 times.

So how did he get the price to stop climbing higher?

“When I hung it up was when it actually stopped,” Southerland said. 

He says he went inside and spoke with a woman behind the counter.

“She says ‘the owner has no comment right now, contact him later.’ I called twice today both times I called just left my name and number no body has called me back,” Southerland said.

News 8 sister station, WAVY, went by to get the owner’s side of the story.

The owner said he didn’t want to speak on camera and said he wasn’t aware that this happened.

He says he’s going to speak with the woman who was working at the store on Thursday and said he will refund the money that went over.

He says he wants to work with Southerland to fix the issue.

Southerland says this is a lesson learned to always stay nearby when you’re pumping gas.

He also hopes it didn’t happen to anyone else.

“I just want them to be aware and others to be aware because how many times do people pump their gas and not pay attention,” he said

So what should you do if this happens to you at a gas station?

WAVY reached out to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and they say if there’s ever a problem at a gas station, you need to report it.

There should be a sticker on the tank with a number, and that’s the number you can call to voice any complaints.