![Pair of Alleged Restaurant Oil Thieves Arrested in Colonie](http://townsquare.media/site/79/files/2022/06/attachment-Oil-Thieves-Mugs.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Pair of Alleged Restaurant Oil Thieves Arrested in Colonie
Restaurants in the Capital Region have been dealing with thieves who've been stealing - not money, not silverware, not food - but oil. Used cooking oil. The grease left over from all the prepared meals is actually quite a commodity, which is why grease bandits are targeting restaurants.
One of the restaurants that's been repeatedly hit is Paesan's Pizza in Colonie. They've caught some of the thieves on camera as they attached a hose to the restaurant's outdoor grease bin and drained it. Owner's of eateries say it's something that's become increasingly common, some thieves even doing it in broad daylight.
After an investigation, Colonie Police have arrested two men from Yonkers, who they say, were caught in the act. Investigators were watching live video when a truck pulled up to Paesan's in Colonie and began draining the oil.
Also hit several times was Ted's Fish Fry, located right next door to Paesan's on Route 9 in Latham.
The two men arrested are 27 year old Jhojan A. Matos and 24 year old Anthony Matias.
The two were seen driving a yellow rental truck. Police found equipment used to drain oil containers inside.
Police believe the pair may be responsible for oil thefts not only in the Capital Region, but parts of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maryland. Both were charged with misdemeanors and issued appearance tickets.
Used restaurant oil is valuable because it can be converted into bio fuel. Restaurants often sell their oil to companies that specialize in recycling it.
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