FAIRBORN, Ohio -- Gas at $4 a gallon for regular gasoline is hard for anyone to take. It means cutting back on extra spending. However, one local woman said high gas prices drove her to commit a crime.

After being on the run for week, Adrianne Ryan was arrested Friday by police in Fairborn. Police said she was pumping gas...but not paying! Sgt. Mark Stannard also said the woman would steal gas with her children in the car. "She would pull in an area gas station, remove the plate, pump gas, drive off, find another location and put the plate back on."

Sgt. Stannard said an off-duty police officer spotted the Fairborn woman putting her license plate back on. She matched a suspect description - so officers followed her.

Police said she took $37.00 worth of gas from a Speedy station on Colonel Glenn Highway. They also believe the 24-year old is connected to several other gas thefts in Fairborn over the past few weeks. "Hopefully, this is a reminder to those who think theft is an opportunity, there are serious consequences," Sgt. Stannard said.