By: Laura Soukkavong –
Beverly – Two New York men are facing charges after police investigated the suspected theft of approximately $2,750 worth of used cooking oil from two restautrants.
Officers were called to 20 Cabot St. around 5:05 a.m. Friday, Oct. 23, following a report of suspicious activity involving a van and two people. The restaurant had previously reported a cooking oil theft.
Police found two men inside a white van and observed fresh grease and oil on the ground coming from the neighboring business at 24 Cabot St.
Investigators allege Jesus Del Orbe Escolastico, 28, and Osmin Velasquez Ramos, 21, both of Yonkers, removed oil from grease traps at the two properties. Officers also reported recovering tools, including wire cutters coated with grease.
Each man faces two counts of breaking into a depository, two counts of vandalizing property and one count of processing burglarious instrument.
Used cooking oil has commercial value because it can be processed into biofuel and other products.
Police said both men were expected to appear in Salem District Court that Friday.
They are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.