New York State Police are warning restaurants and other businesses to protect their used cooking oil following several recent theft attempts in the Southern Tier.
Investigators said suspects have been siphoning oil from storage tanks on restaurant properties. Police believe other businesses may have been targeted without reporting the incidents.
Used cooking oil can be recycled into products such as renewable fuel, making it an increasingly valuable target for thieves.
Troopers responded to the River Run Restaurant in the Town of Sanford on July 9 after a man was reportedly seen using a green hose to pump oil from the restaurant’s storage containers into a commercial van.
Police said the restaurant owner blocked the van from leaving before troopers arrived. Donaldo Jones Morel Castro, 30, of the Bronx, was charged with attempted petit larceny. He was released with an appearance ticket for Sanford Town Court on July 31.
A second incident was reported July 18 at Lupo’s Char-Pit in the Town of Union. State Police said an employee confronted two men who were allegedly attempting to steal cooking oil using a rented box truck with New Jersey license plates.
The men left but were later stopped on Interstate 81 by troopers and Broome County sheriff’s deputies. Investigators said they found large tanks containing used cooking oil, industrial hoses and a gas-powered pump inside the truck.
Barry D. Charles, 26, and Nasir A. Bey, 29, both of Newark, New Jersey, were each charged with attempted petit larceny, fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, possession of burglar tools and sixth-degree conspiracy.
Both men were released with appearance tickets for Union Town Court on August 4.
State Police recommend that businesses install surveillance cameras, keep oil-storage areas well-lit and secure containers with locks. Suspicious people or vehicles should be reported immediately by calling 911.
The charges are accusations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
