Three Charged After Police Interrupt Cooking Oil Theft Operation in Chesterton
CHESTERTON — Enrique Verdecia-Cala, 35, Alien Sanchez-Mozo, 41, and Adrian Cubela-Rives, 32, are facing felony charges after Chesterton Police say the trio attempted to steal used cooking oil from two Chesterton restaurants and later claimed they had authorization to collect oil across Indiana, according to Porter County court documents.
Police were called to Northside Diner, located at 100 N. Calumet Road, on November 30, 2025, where an officer reported finding Sanchez-Mozo and Cubela-Rives behind the restaurant attempting to collect used cooking oil from the outdoor receptacles. The diner contracts with another company for oil collection, and the men were unable to provide any contract when questioned. One worker allegedly told staff they were contracted to collect the oil but was able to provide only the word “New York” when asked who they worked for.
During the encounter, an officer’s Axon body camera recorded a phone call between an arrestee and their manager, identified as Enrique Verdecia-Cala. Verdecia-Cala attempted to claim he had given his employees valid contracts to collect used cooking oil from both Northside Diner and Namaste India, but after speaking with the restaurant owners, police learned no such contracts existed.
According to the affidavits, both workers also attempted to claim they had a contract allowing them to collect used cooking oil “for the entire State of Indiana.”
After leaving Northside Diner, the two workers were located backing their vehicle into the Namaste India parking lot, again attempting to collect cooking oil. Namaste India confirmed they did not contract with the individuals, and both men were taken into custody.
Court documents state Verdecia-Cala was aware of his employees’ location and actions, had provided the box truck and collection equipment, and was directing the operation remotely. Because he resides in Logansport and was not present during the encounter, a warrant for his arrest was requested.
A prior conviction search conducted during the investigation also revealed a previous Grand Theft–Larceny conviction for Cubela-Rives in Monroe County, Florida.
Charges filed December 1,2025:
Enrique Verdecia-Cala — Logansport
• Organized Theft — Level 6 Felony
Alien Sanchez-Mozo — Grand Island, Nebraska
• Organized Theft — Level 6 Felony
• Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
Adrian Cubela-Rives — Logansport
• Organized Theft — Level 6 Felony
• Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
