2 Arrested In Connection With Glen Rock Cooking Oil Thefts

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Two men were arrested in connection with the theft of used cooking oil from borough businesses due to the help of a retired police officer.

Adriz Valdes-Perez, 28, of Jersey City and Francisco Abreu, 29, of Union City, were charged with theft and criminal mischief, said Chief Dean Ackermann. (See related: Used Cooking Oil Stolen From Glen Rock Restaurants)

A retired police officer saw media coverage of the thefts, along with video of the men. He saw the white cargo van used in the incident in another town and took several photos of it, including the license plate number, which was not visible in surveillance footage taken in the Glen Rock incident, Ackermann said.

Based on that information, Glen Rock detectives obtained additional evidence, which resulted in the arrests, Ackermann said.

The oil was stolen from holding tanks behind a strip mall at 1016 Maple Ave. in December, police previously said. The property owner collects the used oil and recycles it for a profit.

The theft of used cooking oil from restaurants has risen in recent years as it used to help make bio-diesel fuel.

"Haulers pay to lug used cooking oil away, which can be refined into different types of bio-fuels used for power generation and heating," Ackermann said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

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