2 charged with stealing cooking oil from Suffolk County restaurants

HAUPPAUGE -- Two people on Long Island are facing charges after police say they stole 650 gallons of cooking oil from Suffolk County restaurants.

40-year old Domingo Santos and his girlfriend 31-year old Vanessa Liriano were arrested Sunday at the New Grand Buffet in Hauppauge, after an officer recognized their van as being used previously to steal cooking oil.

Investigators say they had about $2,000 worth of cooking oil.

An officer observed Santos withdrawing used cooking oil from an oil canister located behind the restaurant.

Santos and Liriano, both of Yonkers, face several charges, including larceny and possession of stolen property.

Police say the oil is typically refined and sold as bio-fuel.