In a six-month investigation, police in Cartersville, Georgia, have arrested four men suspected of stealing cooking oil in bulk from various restaurants. The suspects are believed to be associated with a Gwinnett County criminal organization and may be responsible for similar thefts across metro Atlanta.
**Cartersville, Georgia** - Four men have been arrested in Cartersville, Georgia, for the theft of cooking oil in bulk from several businesses, according to police.
Carlos Laguna, 41, of Buford; Freddy Valencia Aguirre, 36, of Tucker; Luis Gaitan-Obando, 41, of DeKalb County, and Yunier Eliuth Aguirre-Polanco, 24, of Atlanta, are all suspected of bulk theft of cooking oil from various restaurants in Cartersville, according to the Cartersville Police Department.
Cooking Oil Heists: Four Men Arrested in Cartersville for Bulk Theft
This comes following a six-month investigation, police said.
According to police, the suspects would allegedly target restaurants and use pumps to extract large quantities of cooking oil from fryers into containers. The estimated value of the stolen oil is currently under investigation.
Cooking Oil Heists: Four Men Arrested in Cartersville for Bulk Theft
Police said the suspects may be responsible for similar thefts that have been reported across metro Atlanta.
The four men are also believed to be associated with a Gwinnett County criminal organization, police said.
Cooking Oil Heists: Four Men Arrested in Cartersville for Bulk Theft
Carlos Laguna, Freddy Aguirre, Luis Gaitan-Obando and Yunier Eliuth Aguirre-Polanco are accused of bulk theft of cooking oil. (Cartersville Police)
Laguna was charged with theft by taking and possession of tools for the commission of a crime, and has posted a $3,000 bond. Aguirre faces two counts of theft by taking and two counts of possession of tools for the commission of a crime. He has posted a $6,000 bond.
Gaitan-Obando was charged with theft by taking, possession of tools for the commission of a crime and criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor. He remains in custody in the Bartow County Jail on a $4,500 bond.
Aguirre-Polanco faces charges of criminal attempt to commit a misdemeanor and theft by taking, and has posted a $3,000 bond.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and more charges may be pending.
The Gwinnett County Police Department is assisting in the investigation.
The arrest of these four men highlights the growing problem of cooking oil theft across the country. Cooking oil is a valuable commodity that can be sold for a profit on the black market. This type of theft not only results in financial losses for businesses but can also pose health and safety risks as the stolen oil may be contaminated or improperly stored.
Law enforcement agencies are working to combat cooking oil theft by increasing patrols and conducting investigations. They are also urging businesses to take steps to protect their cooking oil from thieves, such as storing it in a secure location and installing surveillance cameras.
