(WNY News Now) – Two men from Yonkers face misdemeanor charges after allegedly attempting to steal used cooking grease from behind a Transit Road restaurant.
AMHERST, NY — Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announced the arraignment of two Yonkers residents, 31-year-old Yoandry A. Paulino-Tejada and 42-year-old Christhian O. Valdez-Ruiz, in Amherst Town Court on charges related to the attempted theft of used cooking grease.
The defendants are each charged with Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fifth Degree and Criminal Possession of Burglar Tools, both Class “A” misdemeanors, along with Attempted Petit Larceny, a Class “B” misdemeanor.
According to investigators, on the morning of Friday, May 30, 2025, Amherst Police responded to a report of suspicious activity outside a restaurant on the 9500 block of Transit Road. Officers encountered both men at the scene and allegedly discovered a screwdriver and a large quantity of used cooking grease in their vehicle.
Paulino-Tejada and Valdez-Ruiz were issued appearance tickets following the incident and have since been arraigned before Justice Ann Nichols. Both were released on their own recognizance, as the charges do not qualify for bail under current New York State law.
The defendants are scheduled to return to Amherst Town Court on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. for further proceedings. If convicted of the most serious charge, they each face up to 364 days in jail.
District Attorney Keane praised the Amherst Police Department for their swift response and investigation. The case is being handled by Assistant District Attorney Brian P. Dassero of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Bureau.
As with all criminal cases, the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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