Two South Florida women are facing burglary and larceny charges after police say they stole used cooking oil from four different businesses.
Lorraine Rivera, 31, and Yusleydis Ramirez, 22, were arrested on Feb. 22 after officers were called to the Big City Tavern at 609 E. Las Olas Boulevard, according to a Fort Lauderdale Police arrest affidavit.
The affidavit said Rivera and Ramirez had been followed by employees of Greenwave Biodiesel, a company that buys the used cooking grease from restaurants and sells it for bio fuel.
Miami Man Stabbed Building's Security Guard: Cops
Greenwave had been the victims of repeated thefts of oil from the containers it uses to collect the grease at the restaurants, the affidavit said.
The Greenwave employees said they spotted Rivera and Ramirez rip off grease from at least four restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, the affidavit said.
The woman would use a hose to remove the oil from the containers and into one in the back of their van, according to the affidavit.
North Miami Dollar Store Armed Robbery Caught on Video
It turned out Rivera and Ramirez work for one of Greenwave's competitors, the affidavit said.
Ramirez admitted she and Rivera had removed cooking oil from the containers, police said. Rivera said it was her first night on the road and she had only been working for the company for two weeks.
Both women are facing burglary to business and petty larceny charges, and it was unknown whether they have attorneys.
Photo Credit: Fort Lauderdale Police