Two New Jersey men allegedly used a rental box truck Monday to steal cooking oil from a restaurant in Lehigh County, and authorities are asking other businesses that may have had oil stolen to contact them.
The two men, ages 41 and 34, stole the oil from the Outback Steakhouse at 800 N. Krocks Road in Lower Macungie Township, according to a state police news release. Both men are charged with misdemeanors of theft and possessing instruments of crime.
The men were sent to Lehigh County Jail on $5,000 bail.
Any other businesses that may have had their oil stolen are asked to contact Trooper Anthony Chidiac at 610-395-1438.
Cooking oil thefts are on the rise, thanks to its use in biodiesel production. In June, Hellertown police responded to an oil spill across several roads, that they said was caused when oil thieves’ equipment malfunctioned.