KINGSTON – The Ulster County Sheriff’s Office has arrested two Yonkers residents for the theft of used cooking oil from a local restaurant in the Town of Esopus.
Charged with petit larceny were Elmin Sanchez-Trochez, 33, and Paola Torez-Jiminez. They were released on appearance tickets in connection with the 2:20 a.m. arrest on September 21.
It is unclear if the Ulster incident is related to two similar thefts of used cooking oil from Middletown area restaurants.
On August 10, 175 gallons of used cooking oil was taken from Sister’s Island Cuisine and on September 10, a similar amount was stolen from the Bagel Corner and Café in the Town of Wallkill.
Both of those restaurants sell their used oil to Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. in Buffalo.
Join Feiter, the theft liaison for Buffalo Biodiesel, told Mid-Hudson News those types of thefts are an issue for businesses around the region.
The oil is usually stolen during the middle of the night when no one is around at the businesses, he said.
Buffalo Biodiesel purchases the used cooking oil from restaurants and sells it to refineries before it is resold as a diesel replacement.
