With the demand for bio diesel on the rise, so is the demand for grease, it's main component.

Ben Healy, the President of Healy Biodiesel in Sedgwick, buys leftover grease from restaurants to process into biodiesel. But recently as he goes to pick up his grease, it's already gone.

In the last few weeks Healy says thieves have stolen thousands of gallons of grease, and in today's market, that means thousands of dollars in potential revenue.

Healy says biodiesel has caused the value of grease to triple in the past few years to 32 cents a pound. So thieves are willing to brave the messy gunk for the extra cash or for make shift fuel.

This is the first Wichita Police have heard about this type of crime, but they ask anyone who has any information to call crime stoppers at 267-2111.