Florida police have apprehended and charged three men for grand theft after they allegedly targeted multiple restaurants and stole their cooking oil. The Port Orange Police Department, in collaboration with Dar-Pro corporate security specialists, successfully tracked down the suspects on December 16, 2023. The men, operating during the overnight hours, utilized a large box truck equipped with a pump to facilitate their operation. They would back the truck up to the restaurants, roll out a hose, and extract the used cooking oil.
Approximately 330 gallons of cooking oil were stolen during the incident, but authorities suspect that the three men may be part of a larger organization responsible for thousands of dollars worth of stolen oil in the area. The arrested individuals have been identified as 49-year-old Rui Lin from St. Johns, Florida, 35-year-old Yunqiu Chen from St. Augustine, Florida, and 42-year-old Zengyu Liu from Flushing, New York. All three have been charged with grand theft.
Interestingly, Lin had previously been arrested in Flagler County, Florida, for a similar offense. This highlights the growing prevalence of used cooking oil theft, which has become a recurring problem for restaurants. In one instance, a Chick-fil-A in Georgia reported the theft of at least 700 gallons of cooking oil from its dumpster each month, with an estimated value of $2,000.
Authorities have noted that the theft of used cooking oil, also known as “yellow grease,” is not uncommon. The oil can be refined and sold, or used as fuel, making it valuable in various markets utilized by recyclers. The Department of Homeland Security has revealed that restaurants often sell their used oil to biodiesel companies. In a separate incident in 2019, a theft ring managed to steal $3.9 million worth of cooking oil from eateries across three states.
The apprehension of these individuals serves as a reminder of the ongoing issue surrounding the theft of used cooking oil. Restaurant owners and law enforcement agencies continue to work together to combat this type of theft, ensuring the proper disposal and recycling of used cooking oil.
Please note: The author of this article is Greg Wehner, a breaking news reporter for Digital.
