On Thursday, Suffolk County police arrested Hector Castrol-Espinal, who they say stole cooking oil from Chick-fil-A in Huntington Station multiple times this year.
The following day, police arrested Melvin Howell and Rodney Lofton in connection with similar crimes.
Officials say these two men stole oil from nine restaurants:
Leonard's Palazzo in Great Neck
Stresa Restaurant in Manhasset
IHOP in Manhasset
Monster Crab in Carle Place
Fyhre Hibachi Sushi Lounge Restaurant in Carle Place
Mint in Garden City
The Cheesecake Factory in Westbury
Chick-fil-A in Westbury
Benihana Restaurant in Westbury
Authorities say they found a white Isuzu box truck matching the description of a vehicle involved in these burglaries.
The two suspects were taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of Petit Larceny and Grand Larceny, as well as other related charges.
Police say Espinal, the man who was arrested for the oil burglaries in Suffolk County, stole from the restaurant on five separate occasions since January.
He siphoned oil into a rented truck and then resold the oil, authorities say.
It turns out the oil can be used for a host of other things besides cooking -- such as in products that use biodiesel.
"The oil is re-processed and sold at a cheaper rate, either to be used for cooking oil or sometimes heating, or used in cosmetics or other uses for the re-processed oil," said Suffolk County Police Department Deputy Chief William Scrima said.
Police say it's a frustrating and escalating problem which they suspect is rising just like inflation. Companies like E.S.I in Yaphank that process cooking oil stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars as the prices go up and thieves ramp up their illegal trade.
One-hundred pounds of cooking oil goes for up to $62 as of March 31, which is up from $59 this time last year. In June of 2019 it was $25.
A business in New Jersey is even tracking the thefts in the Garden State.
Authorities believe more businesses have been targeted. If anyone believes they have been a victim of the crime, make a police report by calling 631-852-COPS.
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