Slippery Thief Nabbed for Theft of Cooking Oil From Rockland Restaurants

by Mindy Cohn

After stealing cooking oil from numerous restaurants throughout Rockland County, the Ramapo Police Investigations Division arrested the thief this weekend.

Restaurants that were robbed include a number of kosher restaurants as well as Evergreen Kosher Market.

The break in the case came once Ramapo detectives identified the vehicle used in the crimes and noted a pattern of activity.

The thief was arrested on Saturday, December 9, after  Ramapo police detectives conducting surveillance spotted the previously identified vehicle as it entered the town. The vehicle was followed to a business in Monsey, where the thief emptied an oil container on location. 

The police detectives then arrested Dencil Lopez-Rosa, age 49,  from Queens. Lopez-Rosa was charged with multiple counts of petit larceny, criminal possession of stolen property, and possession of burglar tools. As he was also in possession of heroin at the time, he was additionally charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance. 

The vehicle and equipment used in the theft were impounded as evidence. 

Lopez-Rosa was then released from custody pending a future court appearance.