On July 16, 2025, at approximately 4:20 am, a Forks Township police officer was on patrol in the area of 271 Town Center Boulevard when he observed a large box truck arrive and park in the rear of the building. The officer observed a male exit the truck and begin to look through the cooking oil containers. Familiar with ongoing cooking thefts in the area, the officer made contact with the male. While speaking with the male, the officer observed his clothes to be covered in oil. The male admitted that he and a passenger, identified as Ricardo Palacios, were in the area looking for cooking oil containers. The officer observed, in plain view, several tools commonly used to break open cooking oil containers. As a result of the officer's observations, the truck was impounded and a search warrant was executed. Inside the truck, officers located two pairs of bolt cutters, an electrical saw, crow bar, and three large storage tanks and pumps.

As a result of the incident, an arrest warrant was issued by a judge for Ricardo Palacios. Palacios is charged with (1 count) Theft By Unlawful Taking (M1) and (1 count) Possessing Instrument of Crime (M1). If you know the whereabouts of Palacios, please contact Officer Rosenberg at jrosenberg@forkstownship.org, call 610-759-2200, or submit a tip through Crimewatch. All tips may remain anonymous.