In a bizarre crime spree, two Patchogue men have been arrested for stealing used cooking oil from multiple businesses across Suffolk County. Suffolk County Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting that two men, Oliver Lorenzo Valdez and Juan Hernandez, had stolen used cooking oil from Mama Lisa Restaurant in Mastic early Tuesday morning. They reportedly fled the scene in a white Ford van. The suspects were later apprehended behind Gourmet Garden in Center Moriches.
An investigation revealed that Valdez, 30, of Central Islip, and Hernandez, 28, of Brentwood, had been stealing used cooking oil from various locations since April. The businesses targeted included:
- Friendly’s, located at 50 East Main St. in East Islip, reported on April 10 at 9:08 a.m.
- Mulberry Street Babylon, located at 30 East Main Street in Babylon, reported on April 22 at approximately 10:10 a.m.
- Bagels 101, located at 852 Middle Country Road in Middle Island, reported on June 13 at 8:14 a.m.
- Shah’s Halah Food, located at 884 Middle Country Road in Middle Island, reported on June 13 at 8:31 a.m.
- Carlo’s Pizza, located at 451 Glen Drive in Shirley, reported on June 18 at 9:21 a.m.
- La Vespa, located at 264 Moriches Middle Island Road in Manorville, reported on June 18 at 9:28 a.m.
- Smoke Shack BBQ, located at 792 Montauk Highway in Center Moriches, reported on June 18 at 9:40 a.m.
- Carmelina’s Pizzeria and Ristorante, located at 794 Main Street in Center Moriches, reported on June 18 at 9:40 a.m.
- Meltology Bar & Grilled Cheese, located at 848 Middle Country Road in Middle Island, reported on June 19 at 8:09 a.m.
- Joy Wo Chinese Kitchen, located at 99 Route 25A in Shoreham, reported on June 19 at 9:01 a.m.
- Gourmet Garden, located at 802 Main Street in Center Moriches, reported on June 19 at 9:40 a.m.
- Miko East Northport Sushi & Hibachi, located at 1932 Jericho Turnpike in East Northport, reported on June 19 at 11:08 a.m.
- Huntington Square Mall, located at 4000 Jericho Turnpike in East Northport, reported on June 19 at 11:29 a.m.
- Mama Lisa Restaurant, located at 1226 Montauk Highway in Mastic, reported on June 25 at 6:13 a.m.
Valdez and Hernandez were both charged with 14 counts of petit larceny, two counts of criminal mischief, and one count of conspiracy. Both are being held overnight at the and are scheduled to be arraigned at First District Court in Central Islip on June 26. The Ford van used in the thefts was seized.
The investigation is ongoing, and detectives are urging anyone with information to contact Property Auto Crimes at 631-852-6429.
