The Cranston Police Department has announced the arrest of two New York men early Friday morning after a FLOCK License Plate Reader alert helped officers locate a vehicle believed to be linked to the theft of cooking oil from Cranston restaurants.
According to police, arrested were Anyeson Veras Martinez, 26, of the Bronx, New York, and Steven Velez Toribio, 29, of the Bronx, New York. Both were charged with Larceny Under $1,500 and Conspiracy.
At just before 2:00 a.m., Cranston Police received a FLOCK LPR notification identifying a white 2018 Ford Transit bearing Pennsylvania registration VDF0027. The vehicle had previously been associated with cooking-oil thefts in the area. A second FLOCK notification was received as the vehicle approached Route 37. Officers immediately began checking restaurants and other businesses in the area for the vehicle.
Approximately 20 minutes later, a patrol officer located the vehicle at PJ’s Pub on Pontiac Avenue. The patrol officer stopped the van as it exited the parking lot at approximately 2:20 a.m. Officers subsequently found evidence consistent with the theft of cooking oil, including a strong odor and oil residue on the occupants and inside the vehicle, two large containers, and a hose and pumping system.
Investigators determined that approximately 100 gallons of used cooking oil, valued at approximately $200, had been taken from PJ’s Pub. The restaurant’s security video showed the white Ford Transit backing up to the restaurant’s used-oil container shortly before leaving the property.
The theft of used cooking oil is not a new problem for restaurants in Cranston and throughout Rhode Island. Cranston has experienced similar incidents in the past, including cases involving individuals traveling from outside Rhode Island to target restaurants overnight.
Used cooking oil has commercial value because it can be collected and processed into products including biofuel and animal feed. Restaurants are particularly vulnerable because they typically store used cooking oil outside the business in large containers or tanks, where it can be accessed after the restaurant closes. In past cases, thieves have used vehicles equipped with pumps, hoses, and storage containers to remove large quantities of oil quickly overnight.
The current investigation illustrates how quickly these crimes can occur. In this case, the Flock LPR system alerted Cranston officers to a vehicle already linked to similar thefts, allowing them to focus their search and locate it at a Cranston restaurant within minutes.
“This case is a clear example of how Flock LPR technology can serve as an investigative tool,” said Cranston Police Chief Michael J. Winquist. “The system alerted our officers to a vehicle associated with previous cooking-oil thefts, allowing them to quickly focus their efforts, locate the vehicle, and conduct the investigation that led to two arrests. Flock did not make the arrest—our officers did. The technology provided them with a timely investigative lead that helped put them in the right place at the right time.”
The Cranston Police Department encourages restaurant owners and managers to report suspicious activity involving their used cooking-oil containers and to notify police if they observe individuals or vehicles accessing the containers without authorization.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
