Exchanging a Damaged Propane Cylinder

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Texas
Yesterday my husband tried to get a propane tank filled at the Uhaul and they denied him because the tank was covered in rust and out of certification. The man told him to take it to Walmart and do an exchange. When he took it to Walmart he was told that blue rhino will not take tanks that are as highly damaged as the one he brought in. He took it home and painted it white with a can of 99 cent spray paint then took it to Lowe's (also blue rhino) this morning and got an exchange. My question is, is what he did considered fraud? Is this something that if blue rhino discovers they can go back to the store and involve the police? My husband said he paid in cash so would they investigate this? The price of a tank without exchange is 45 dollars the price with an exchange is 14.

Yes it is fraud. Yes he could be prosecuted if caught and his acts can be proven. Hiding a known defect for financial gain is fraud plain and simple.

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Quoting jk

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Yes it is fraud. Yes he could be prosecuted if caught and his acts can be proven. Hiding a known defect for financial gain is fraud plain and simple.

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How likely is it that they could actually prove his acts since the guy who did the cylinder exchange just took the tank, chucked it into the cage with a bunch of others and repeated the process with the 5 or 6 people in line behind us?

I would guess there isn't a great possibility of getting caught but is all this worry and concern worth $31? Tell your husband to not commit crimes and he will have a lot less to worry about.

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Quoting jk

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I would guess there isn't a great possibility of getting caught but is all this worry and concern worth $31? Tell your husband to not commit crimes and he will have a lot less to worry about.

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Here's the thing, he doesn't care. He keeps saying the burned if proof is on the accuser. I am the one who's worried. Not only do I think it's unethical I am of the mind that he who would steal an egg would steal an ox.

Something else for your worthless husband to ponder: The cylinders aren't exchanged when they are in poor shape due to the safety hazard. That cylinder he exchanged might fail when it is being refilled or later when someone is using it, which could cause serious injuries or death.

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Quoting RayonRes

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Here's the thing, he doesn't care. He keeps saying the burned if proof is on the accuser. I am the one who's worried. Not only do I think it's unethical I am of the mind that he who would steal an egg would steal an ox.

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Ask your husband how he will feel if he hears on the news that someone died because the propane tank they were given explodes on them...because that is exactly what he did. He put other people's lives at risk in order to save money.