MARTIN COUNTY, FL – The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has apprehended Yadriel Luis Zaragoza, a 24-year-old from Miami, suspected of being involved in a series of used cooking oil thefts.
Zaragoza, who is also wanted in another Florida county for similar offenses, was under surveillance by CID teams.
He was observed scoping out at least 20 local eateries in Martin County, none of which had authorized access to their oil storage containers.
Upon his arrest, detectives found burglary tools in his vehicle. Zaragoza claimed to be en route to Orlando when he was intercepted.
He faces charges for possession of burglary tools and is a suspect in the theft of over 300 gallons of used cooking oil from a Monroe County restaurant. Used cooking oil, often repurposed for biodiesel, has become a lucrative target for theft.