WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – A BP gas station near Detroit Metro Airport in Romulus is accused of charging up to 72% more than its competitors, prompting an investigation from Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office.
According to a petition filed by Nessel’s office, the AG received a “volume of complaints” from consumers in recent years about inflated prices at the BP station.
It’s located at the corner of Middlebelt and Wick Roads in Romulus, across the street from the airport rental car return lots. It’s operated by William Bazzi of M-Twelve Fuels, LLC.
“With the price of everything already squeezing families, the last thing Michiganders and our visitors who are rushing to return a rental car need is to be taken advantage of at the pump,” Nessel said. “Allegations of marking up prices, here by as much as 72% over the average, call for a vigorous investigation.”
Prices far above competitors
On Tuesday morning, the BP was charging $5.89 per gallon for cash and $5.99 for credit.
By comparison, a Sheetz down the road was at $3.48, a Marathon at $3.99, and nearby Shell and Mobil stations were at $4.07.
Nessel’s office received more than 16 complaints about the station in 2025 and 2026.
An investigator from the Michigan Department of Attorney General purchased fuel from the station back in April for $5.24 per gallon, while data from GasBuddy showed nearby stations charging between $3.79 and $3.99 per gallon.
The department has continued comparing the station’s rates to competitors in recent weeks, reporting a “gross disparity ranging from 22% to 72% more than its competitors for similar gasoline.”
Drivers frustrated
Many drivers say they already know to avoid the station. David Church of Romulus put it plainly.
“He’s always got the gas prices really, really, really high. It’s just absolutely ridiculous,” Church said.
Lavonne Fuller of Redford said she doesn’t even stop for gas there.
“I never get gas from here. I just come to the shop,” Fuller said.
Church has a direct message for the owner.
“Lower the prices. You know, just because you are by the airport doesn’t mean you have to skyrocket the price,” he said.
Prices dropped after station employee confronted
Local 4 visited the station on Tuesday to speak with owner William Bazzi, but was immediately kicked out after being told the owner wasn’t there.
About an hour later, prices dropped — from nearly $6 per gallon to $5.14 for cash.
This is also not the gas station’s first run-in with state investigators.
The Attorney General launched a similar investigation into the same location in 2023, when the station was believed to be under different ownership.
In April, Local 4 also followed up on complaints from frustrated drivers.
The court granted Nessel’s request to investigate, and the Attorney General’s office is in the process of issuing Civil Investigative Subpoenas related to the matter.
If you believe a gas station is price gouging, you can file a complaint with the AG’s office here.