Massachusetts gas station owner stops selling gas in protest over record prices of almost $5 a gallon

• Record prices prompt gas station owner in Massachusetts to stop selling fuel, per Western Mass News.
• ExxonMobil raised gas prices by 40 cents in 24 hours, Ren's Mobil owner told Western Mass News.

The owner of a gas station in Massachusetts has put the brakes on gas sales in protest over record prices, Western Mass News reported.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and broader supply chain issues drove gas prices up to an average of $4.98 a gallon on Friday, according to the AAA. Gasoline prices are now 62% higher than this time last year.

Reynold Gladu, owner of Ren's Mobil in Amherst, has decided to stop selling fuel from the station, which has operated for about half a century.

He told Western Mass News: "It's hard enough for people to put groceries on their table after working in the factory or wherever they work for 30-40 hours a week and not be able to put gas in their car and get to work. I don't want to be part of that."

Ren's Mobil, which is supplied by ExxonMobil, has stuck "out of gas" posters on its pumps, according to the report.

Gladu said ExxonMobil informed him two weeks ago it had increased prices up by 20 cents. The next day, the oil giant raised prices by another 20 cents, he told Western Mass News.

"There's no justification. It's the same gas that was in the ground that they're just making extra money on," Gladu said.

ExxonMobil should "stop robbing the public," he told the broadcaster.

Although he will no longer sell gas, he plans to continue servicing vehicles.

ExxonMobil didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The company told Western Mass News it did not own or operate retail fuel stations in the US as they are owned by individuals, and the price of gas is based on local market conditions and other factors.