2 Charged In Cape Cod Cooking Oil Theft Bust Coined 'Operation Midnight Oil'

BOURNE, MA — Local businesses on Cape Cod have been dealing with theft of a little thought about item that can serve as an extra revenue stream: Leftover cooking oil.

In general, businesses can sell used cooking oil to vendors who recycle it to manufacture new products like renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel.

In Bourne, what officials have coined as "Operation Midnight Oil" boiled over on Monday night when members of the department were performing surveillance of potential business targets when they intercepted two people who had just stolen the cooking oil from a business on Main St.

"It is believed that these individuals may be connected with similar thefts across the state," officials said.

Gilberto Rodriguez, 35, and Oliver Cruz, 36, both of Yonkers, New York, were both arrested and charged with breaking and entering into a depository, larceny under $1200 and conspiracy.

The investigation remains active with the potential for additional charges to be filed.