Joel Rojas Felix, 26, of Yonkers, New York, and Miguel Jose Gonzalez, 35, of Bronx, New York
Joel Rojas Felix, 26, of Yonkers, New York, and Miguel Jose Gonzalez, 35, of Bronx, New York, are charged in Calvert County after deputies said a late-night traffic stop led to the discovery of used cooking oil allegedly stolen from Salsa’s Mexican Cafe on HG Trueman Road in Lusby. Felix is charged with fourth-degree burglary, theft of $100 to under $1,500, and driving a motor vehicle on a highway without the required license and authorization. Gonzalez is charged with fourth-degree burglary and theft of $100 to under $1,500.
According to the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy saw a white Ford van traveling south on HG Trueman Road near Village Center Drive at about 2:20 a.m. on June 28, 2026. The van appeared to have lettering removed from its sides, leaving visible outlines where markings had previously been. The deputy also reported that the rear registration plate was not illuminated. After following the van onto Rousby Hall Road and then northbound Route 4, the deputy conducted a traffic stop based on the tag-light violation.
Felix was identified as the driver. When the deputy approached the van, Felix allegedly said he did not have a driver’s license and later showed a photo of a New York identification card on his cellphone. Dispatch advised that Felix was not licensed to drive and had only been issued a New York identification card.
Gonzalez was identified as the front-seat passenger by his New York identification card. While speaking with Gonzalez, deputies said they saw a plastic intermediate bulk container with a metal cage in the cargo area of the van. The deputy described it as the type commonly used to transport liquids, including used cooking oil. When asked what the container was being used for, Gonzalez allegedly said it was “for cooking oil.”
Deputies said Felix and Gonzalez were both sweating heavily and appeared to have cooking oil on their clothing and shoes. Both men allegedly said they had just left Salsa’s Mexican Cafe and were trying to enter the correct destination into their GPS so they could return to New York. The deputy wrote that the van had first been observed less than one-tenth of a mile north of the restaurant, which was consistent with the vehicle having recently left the business.
Both men were arrested at about 2:40 a.m. Deputies said a search of the van turned up three intermediate bulk containers in the cargo area, along with numerous used black nitrile gloves. The gloves appeared shiny, which the deputy said was consistent with them being coated in cooking oil or sweat. A bottle of Dawn dish soap was also found in the front passenger-side door pocket, which the deputy said is commonly used to remove grease and oil from skin after handling oil products.
While at the Calvert County Detention Center sally port, Felix was asked how he was paid, according to the filing. Felix allegedly replied, “someone sells the oil,” then invoked his right to remain silent. The deputy wrote that questioning stopped immediately.
A deputy later checked the area around Salsa’s Mexican Cafe and reported that the gate near the used cooking oil storage container was open and that the container lid was unsecured. Deputies also reported seeing what appeared to be fresh cooking oil around the lid, which they said was consistent with the container having recently been accessed.
Deputies said they could not accurately measure the amount of used cooking oil inside each container at the scene, but estimated that each held about 40 gallons. The total amount was estimated at 120 gallons. Based on an estimated value of $2.50 to $3.50 per gallon, the recovered oil was valued between $300 and $420. The theft charge lists the value at $420.
The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office said cellphones belonging to both men were seized as evidence, placed in airplane mode, and stored in separate Faraday bags to prevent remote access or alteration of data. The devices were later secured at the Criminal Investigations Bureau. The van was transported to a secure sheriff’s office lot pending further investigation, and the events were documented on an agency-issued body-worn camera.
Felix initially was ordered held without bond on June 28, 2026. After a bail review on June 29, 2026, bond was set at $10,000, and a $1,000 cash bond was posted. Gonzalez was also ordered held without bond at his initial appearance, and his bail review paperwork lists him as held without bond. Both men have court dates scheduled for July 30, 2026, in Calvert District Court.
Joel Rojas Felix, 26, of Yonkers, New York
Miguel Jose Gonzalez, 35, of Bronx
