BOURNE — Two New York men were arrested during a police surveillance operation targeting thefts of used cooking oil from local businesses.
Gilberto Rodriguez, 35, of Yonkers, N.Y., and Oliver Cruz, 36, of Yonkers, N.Y., were charged with breaking and entering into a depository, larceny under $1,200 and conspiracy.
The arrests occurred during “Operation Midnight Oil” when patrol officers and detectives conducting surveillance intercepted the suspects after they allegedly stole cooking oil from a business on Main Street.
Local businesses have been experiencing thefts of used cooking oil from their storage receptacles in recent months, according to the Bourne Police Department.
Businesses typically sell the used cooking oil to vendors who recycle it for manufacturing products such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.
Police believe the suspects may be connected to similar thefts across the state.
The investigation remains active with the potential for additional charges.
Anyone with information about similar thefts is asked to contact the Bourne Police Department Detectives Division Tip Line at 774-247-5627 or email PD-Detectives@bourne-ma.gov.
