The Great Grease Heist: 2 men arrested after allegedly swiping cooking oil from King Gyros

In a crime that proves not all heists involve bank vaults and getaway cars, two men were arrested early Thursday morning after allegedly stealing used cooking oil from a local restaurant — and then making the classic mistake of coming back for more.

The incident began at 2:46 a.m. on Thursday, September 17th, when the Marshall County Central Dispatch Center received a call from the owner of King Gyros at 1827 1/2 N. Michigan Street. The owner told dispatch he had video footage of a truck stealing used cooking oil from his business, but the vehicle had already left the area.

But in a move that would make anyone shake their head, the same truck returned at 3:37 a.m. Plymouth Police were once again dispatched to King Gyros and arrived at the restaurant while the two suspects were still on the property. The pair — 26-year-old Eliodanys C. Plutin of Indianapolis and 38-year-old Omar P. Cutino of Louisville, Kentucky were detained.

Following an investigation by Officer Ayala, both men were arrested and transported to the Marshall County Jail. Plutin and Cutino were each booked for theft, a Class A misdemeanor, and organized theft, as a level 6 felony.

So why would anyone steal used cooking oil? It may sound like the punchline to a joke, but used cooking oil is actually a valuable commodity. It can be recycled into biodiesel fuel, animal feed, and other products, making it a tempting target for thieves who sell it to rendering companies for profit. The restaurant recycling industry estimates that stolen grease costs businesses millions of dollars each year nationwide.

It's a slippery business — and these two appear to have gotten caught in it.

Plymouth Police are encouraging other business owners who may have been victims of cooking oil theft to come forward. Anyone with information or video footage regarding the theft of oil from their business is asked to contact Officer Ayala and Detective Workman with the Plymouth Police Department.

After all, if someone's been skimming your grease, the police want to know.

Readers are reminded that charging information supported by an affidavit of probable cause is a mere allegation that a crime has been committed and that there is only probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. They are presumed innocent throughout the proceedings and are entitled to be represented by counsel and entitled to a trial by jury at which the State is obligated to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt before a judgment of guilt may be made.