Paesan’s Pizza in Latham has been struck once again by cooking oil bandits. It happened shortly after midnight the morning of January 12th. Video surveillance posted to twitter shows a dark red van pull up to the oil container behind the restaurant and (presumably) drain the used cooking oil.
Oil Bandits Strike Again. Business owners are human and have breaking points. We use social media to let the public know what’s going on and to inform our leader’s of daily issues we need addressed. We are also crying out for help and relief. What has to happen for this to stop! pic.twitter.com/q4PP8tDviO
— Paesans Pizza (@PaesansPizzaNY) January 12, 2023
Used oil is a commodity restaurants sell back to companies that process it into biofuel. However, over the last few years a black market has developed where thieves steal the oil, sell it on the black market, and pocket the money. Thus, the restaurant disposing of the oil does not get paid. And it’s a good amount of money they’re losing, according to Paesan’s Owner Frank Scavio. He wants to know when it will end.
What do we do with repeat offenders? it becomes a nuisance. It’s my own mental health that is suffering because I’m constantly going through this stuff.
CBS 6
Scavio’s restaurants have been robbed of cooking oil numerous times. Back in June, two men from Yonkers were arrested in relation to earlier oil thefts that happened at Paesan’s, but they continue to deal with these poachers who usually show up in the middle of the night.
Unfortunately in this last robbery, Scavio missed the notification from his security system that alerts them when a possible crime is in progress.
@colonie_police thank you for patrolling our lot. We have a police cruiser on video at 4:23am. Bandits struck at midnight. We just missed them this time hopefully catch them the next. 🙏🏼
— Paesans Pizza (@PaesansPizzaNY) January 12, 2023
Paesan’s Pizza has recently teamed up with an Albany group called ‘Pastors on Patrol’ to help address crime issues in local neighborhoods.
Pastors on Patrol and Paesan’s Pizza join forces. Our mission is to bring Church Leaders,Local leaders, Business leaders and House hold leaders with their children to engage with our communities and slowly help bridge gaps. Let’s make a difference. @CBS6Albany @CBS6Kalani pic.twitter.com/nICy1kn6Af
— Paesans Pizza (@PaesansPizzaNY) January 12, 2023
feature photo: Paesan’s Pizza via Twitter