Slick Thieves Strike Again: Another Cooking Oil Theft Reported at Montclair Restaurant

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Used cooking oil has become a hot commodity for thieves in the Montclair area. Police are investigating yet another incident of cooking oil theft from a local restaurant, marking a growing trend of commercial grease thefts.

The theft occurred late in the evening on March 31, 2026, when suspects accessed the restaurant's outdoor grease storage bin. Thieves typically pump the used oil into large drums in the back of vans or trucks to resell it to recycling facilities, where it can be converted into biodiesel. These thefts cause not only financial loss but often property damage and hazardous spills.

Local authorities are advising restaurant owners to secure their grease bins with heavy-duty locks and ensure the storage areas are well-lit and monitored by security cameras. The investigation is ongoing as police work to identify the vehicles involved in this specialized theft ring.