Picayune Police investigating theft of recyclable cooking oil

Picayune Police are investigating theft of recyclable cooking oil after a tip led to the confiscation of a truck involved in the alleged theft.

A business owner told officers that used cooking oil was being taken from a storage unit behind the business. Officers set up a stake-out and saw a Ford F-250 arrive and begin pumping grease out of a storage tank and into a tank in the back of the truck. Chief Joe Quave estimated that the tank in the truck could hold several hundred gallons.

Police pulled the truck over on a traffic stop and an interview revealed the theft was part of a multi-state theft ring that was costing the victim thousands in lost product. According to a company that specializes in collecting and recycling used cooking oil, theft accounts for a loss of $75 million annually for restaurant owners and recyclers nationwide.

“I want to applaud the efforts of our patrol division for being pro-active and taking action,” Quave said.

A manifest was recovered and detailed locations of several of the thefts. Quave said the manifest was broken down by day and each day had 10 to 20 locations listed in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Police believe the suspects could have targeted other locations in the area and are asking that anyone with a grease storage tank used for recycling to check their video for the vehicle confiscated.

This is an active investigation and charges are pending. Quave said two suspects have been identified but more may be involved.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Pearl River County Central Dispatch at 601-749-5482 to speak with Picayune Police Department detectives.