MONTICELLO – When Khalio White, a Taco Bell employee in Monticello spotted two men pumping used cooking oil from tanks at his Route 42 restaurant and then going over to a Popeye’s restaurant and doing the same there, he got their license plate and called the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office.
When they stopped nearby to get gas, deputies swooped down and arrested Gary Rivera, 24, of Manhattan and Jonatan Soriano, 27, of the Bronx, said Undersheriff Eric Chaboty.
Deputies found six large tanks and a pump in the rental truck that they used to steal the oil that can be refined and sold as biodiesel for $4 to $5 per gallon.
Rivera was charged with larceny and possession of burglar tools, issued an appearance ticket and released.
Soriano was charged with larceny, possession of burglary tools, criminal mischief to a bathroom at the sheriff’s office, bail jumping on a warrant from Town of Haverstraw Police and driving with 17 suspensions on his license.
He was committed to the Sullivan County Jail in lieu of $5,000 bail.
Haverstraw Police also have a warrant for his arrest for larceny of used cooking oil.
Theft of that oil has reached epidemic proportions with thieves in many areas stealing it for resale.
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