Thieves turn to stealing used grease

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NEW YORK, June 10 (UPI) -- Officials say desperate New York City thieves are turning to stealing used cooking grease to make quick cash.

In the past four years, the price of used grease has gone from nothing to 38 cents a pound, the New York Post reported Saturday.

Now, thieves are stealing the stuff from restaurants and other businesses to cash in.

"It's really crazy out here with this grease," said Eddie, a truck driver who picks up used oil in Brooklyn. "I went to one of my stops, and I actually saw a guy pumping grease out with a vacuum cleaner."

Edward Gunderson, president of M&E Soap, said his company, which buys food oil in Brooklyn and Staten Island, had been broken into several times since the first of the year.

"It's an easy way to make a buck," Gunderson said. "They can walk out with $200, $300 or $500 worth of material."