Enrique Verdecia-Cala, 35, Alien Sanchez-Mozo, 41, and Adrian Cubela-Rives, 32, face felony charges after Chesterton Police say the trio attempted to steal used cooking oil from two local restaurants and later claimed they had authorization to collect oil across Indiana, according to Porter County court documents.
Police were called to Northside Diner at 100 N. Calumet Road on November 30, 2025, where an officer found Sanchez-Mozo and Cubela-Rives behind the restaurant trying to collect used cooking oil from outdoor receptacles. The diner has a contract with another company for oil collection, and the men could not provide a valid contract. One worker allegedly told staff they were contracted but could only say “New York” when asked who they worked for.
During the encounter, an officer’s body camera recorded a phone call between an arrestee and their manager, identified as Enrique Verdecia-Cala. Verdecia-Cala claimed he had provided valid contracts to collect oil from both Northside Diner and Namaste India, but after speaking with the restaurant owners, police confirmed no contracts existed.
The affidavits indicate both workers also claimed they had authorization to collect used cooking oil “for the entire State of Indiana.”
After leaving Northside Diner, the two workers were spotted at Namaste India, attempting to collect oil again. Namaste India confirmed they had no contract with the men, who were then taken into custody.
Court documents state Verdecia-Cala, who lives in Logansport, directed the operation remotely, provided the box truck and equipment, and was aware of his employees’ actions. A warrant was requested for his arrest since he was not present during the encounter.
A prior record check revealed Adrian Cubela-Rives had a previous Grand Theft–Larceny conviction in Monroe County, Florida.
Charges filed December 1, 2025:
Enrique Verdecia-Cala — Logansport
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Organized Theft — Level 6 Felony
Alien Sanchez-Mozo — Grand Island, Nebraska
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Organized Theft — Level 6 Felony
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Theft — Class A Misdemeanor
Adrian Cubela-Rives — Logansport
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Organized Theft — Level 6 Felony
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Theft — Class A Misdemeanor