Investigations are underway into cooking oil thefts at several restaurants in the Hudson Valley.

In August, there was an incident that occurred at Aroma Thai & Oriental in Valley Cottage. Owner Atul Kumar told News 12 they lost hundreds of dollars as a result of the crime because he sells the used cooking oil to Buffalo Biodiesel Inc., who then recycles it into renewable energy.

"I had no idea what happened, why someone would steal oil from the back," said Kumar. "I called Biodiesel…I said, you guys took out the oil last night and you left everything on the floor. What happened? They check their records and said we were not there last night, somebody probably broke the box."

Buffalo Biodiesel Inc. told News 12 that these thefts have happened in Ulster, Dutchess, Putnam and Rockland counties. Company President Sumit Majumadar said some restaurant workers have gotten hurt over the years trying to stop the criminals.

"So, I don't really care about the theft,” he said. “I'm worried about a murder or serious injury."

Majumadar hopes authorities will hold thieves accountable but feels bail reform is impacting that.

Buffalo Biodiesel told News 12 that people steal used cooking oil to not only make money, but for money laundering too.