# Cooking oil thefts in Massachusetts

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cooking-oil-thefts-in-massachusetts
> Updated: 2026-10-30T01:12:55.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

A series of thefts targeting used cooking oil from restaurants has been reported across Massachusetts. In Beverly, two men from Yonkers, New York, were arrested after police discovered them near a vehicle with oil residue. Authorities recovered oil valued at approximately $2,750, noting that the substance is often stolen for resale to biofuel recycling companies.

Similar incidents have been reported in New Bedford, where restaurant owners at establishments including G&S Pizza, Mikey B’s, and Cafe Roma reported thefts. Surveillance footage in New Bedford showed suspects using a truck, a hose, and a pump to extract oil from grease traps. These incidents follow other reported attempts in Worcester, suggesting a pattern of criminal activity targeting grease traps for the biodiesel market.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-30: New Bedford restaurants targeted in cooking oil thefts

Multiple New Bedford restaurants were targeted by thieves using pumps and hoses to steal used cooking oil for black market biodiesel production.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-bedford-restaurants-targeted-in-cooking-oil-thefts

### 2026-10-26: Two men arrested for alleged cooking oil theft in Beverly, Massachusetts

Two New York residents were arrested in Beverly, Massachusetts, for allegedly stealing $2,750 worth of used cooking oil from restaurant grease traps to sell for biofuel recycling.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-men-arrested-for-alleged-cooking-oil-theft-in-beverly-massachusetts

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Cite as: Cooking oil thefts in Massachusetts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cooking-oil-thefts-in-massachusetts