NEW HARTFORD, NY — Two Utica men arrested last month for stealing waste oil from a restaurant now face additional charges after police linked them to a second theft the same night.
Frank Gonzalez-Guzman, 31, of Utica, and Edinson Salcedo-Rivas, 25, of Utica, have been charged with additional counts of petit larceny in connection with a theft from Castlewood Cafe on Seneca Turnpike.
Police said the pair stole oil from Castlewood Cafe minutes before they were interrupted during a similar theft at Fresco Fish on March 27.
Officers initially responded to Fresco Fish at approximately 2 a.m. after observing a suspicious vehicle near the restaurant at 8483 Seneca Turnpike.
Police determined the vehicle was equipped with tools used to extract waste oil from a secured container on the property.
The container is used by the business to store oil for later sale and collection by an authorized recycling service.
After the initial arrests, police were alerted to a similar theft at Castlewood Cafe, located at 8548 Seneca Turnpike.
Investigators determined Gonzalez-Guzman and Salcedo-Rivas allegedly completed the theft at Castlewood Cafe in the same manner as the incident at Fresco Fish.
Police said the pair used tools and an altered cargo van in both incidents.
Both men were taken into custody without incident and transported to the New Hartford Police Department.
The vehicle involved was impounded.
Gonzalez-Guzman and Salcedo-Rivas were released on appearance tickets and are scheduled to appear in Town of New Hartford Court on April 16.
