Pair Tried To Pass Stolen Cooking Oil From NJ Chinese Buffet Off As Biodiesel: Police

Two men from New York were charged after allegedly stealing used cooking oil from a Sussex County buffet, possibly with intentions to resell it as biodiesel fuel, authorities said.

Empire Buffet on Route 206 in Stanhope
Photo Credit: *Google Maps (Street View)*

Valerie Musson

05/06/2022 11:56 a.m.

Officers conducting a property check of the ShopRite plaza in Stanhope stopped Zachary Tyler Layton and Jose V. Nunez Genao on Tuesday, May 2, township police said in a Friday release.

A follow-up investigation found that Layton and Genao — both from Yonkers — had stolen used cooking oil from a Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. container behind Empire Buffet, police said.

“Used cooking oil can be re-sold as biodiesel fuel,” police said.

Both were arrested and charged with theft, conspiracy, criminal attempt and possession of burglar tools.

Layton and Genao were being held in the Morris County Correctional Facility pending appearances in Sussex County Superior Court.

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