Three Men Arrested for Hampton Cooking Oil Theft
Authorities linked the suspects to the theft of 1,000 gallons of used oil from local area restaurants.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Dining Out
Live Poll
Do you trust that reporting suspicious activity to local police leads to safer neighborhoods?
Police arrested three men following the reported theft of used cooking oil from Hampton restaurants. Officers recovered approximately 1,000 gallons of the substance from a rental truck.
Why it matters
Used cooking oil is increasingly targeted by thieves due to its value as a raw material for biodiesel production. The incidents highlights a growing trend of organized theft impacting restaurant operations.
Police seized 1,000 gallons of used cooking oil from a 2025 Chevrolet Express G-3500 rental truck. The suspects allegedly siphoned the product from storage containers at Wok Express and Destination India.
The players
Jose Rivera Deleon
He is one of three suspects arrested and charged with theft and receiving stolen property.
Neyl Junior Garcia De Jesus
He is a suspect arrested in connection with the siphoning of cooking oil from area businesses.
Luis A. Rijo Kelly
He faces charges of theft and receiving stolen property following the police investigation.
10th Circuit Court-District Division-Hampton
This is the judicial body presiding over the arraignment and ongoing legal proceedings for the suspects.
The details
Authorities apprehended the suspects after a restaurant employee reported suspicious activity, leading to a traffic stop. The three men utilized machines and hoses to extract oil from local businesses.
Timeline
August 6, 2026: The initial investigation began following a report at Las Olas.
August 21, 2026: Shrewsbury, Massachusetts police responded to a similar oil theft report.
September 30, 2026: The three suspects were arrested and arraigned at the 10th Circuit Court.
November 16, 2026: The suspects are scheduled to return to court.
Culture Shift
This incident reflects a broader societal shift where waste products have gained significant market value. The rise in used cooking oil theft follows the expansion of the global biodiesel production industry.
Local restaurant owners should ensure their oil storage containers are secured with locks to prevent siphoning. Businesses may need to increase oversight during late-night or early-morning hours when these thefts typically occur.
The takeaway
Restaurant managers should maintain awareness of suspicious activity near their storage areas to deter potential theft. Securing disposal containers remains the most effective way to prevent the unauthorized removal of used cooking oil.
What happens next
The three suspects are scheduled to return to the 10th Circuit Court-District Division-Hampton on November 16, 2026, for further proceedings.
Further reading
Learn more about the local industry at Hampton Dining Out.
Live Poll
Do you trust that reporting suspicious activity to local police leads to safer neighborhoods?
