Cooking Oil Thieves Nabbed On Long Island, Police Say

Two Long Island men have been charged with stealing cooking oil from several restaurants.

One of the restaurants targeted by the cooking oil thieves.
Photo Credit: *Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash/Google Maps street view*

06/05/2023 9:30 a.m.

The three thefts took place in Suffolk County in May and June in Medford and Patchogue, said the Suffolk County Police.

According to Suffolk County Police Gregory Smith, age 39, and Andrew DeMarco, age 38, both of Farmingville, were arrested on Monday, June 5, for stealing cooking oil from three different restaurants on five occasions.

Smith drove a rented box truck and siphoned the oil into a 500-gallon container while DeMarco drove a 2023 Honda Accord to act as a lookout, police said.

The restaurant targeted were

Island Empanada, located in Medford at 2040 Route 112, on Monday, May 22, and Wednesday, May 31.
Dirty Taco, located in Patchogue at 32 West Main St., on Wednesday, May 31, and Monday, June 5.
Harbor Crab, located in Patchogue at 116 Division St., on Monday, June 5

Smith was charged with criminal mischief and five counts of petit larceny.

DeMarco was charged with two counts of petit larceny and one count of criminal mischief in the third degree.

Both are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip at a later date.

The investigation is continuing. Police are asking anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a similar crime to call 631-852-COPS to make a police report.

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