Police: Bronx man tried to steal used cooking oil from South Glens Falls business

A Bronx man has been arrested for allegedly trying to steal used cooking oil from a South Glens Falls business.

Police responded to Saratoga Avenue for a report of a man attempting to steal the oil from a vat behind the closed business. The business owner said he received an alert while at home from a surveillance camera that prompted him to come to the business and confront the man, according to a news release from the South Glens Falls Police Department.

Raphael T. Lopez, 24, was driving a blue Ford Econoline van equipped with a large tank and siphoning equipment in the cargo area. He was backed up to the used oil container when the owner arrived at the scene. Lopez did not transfer any of the oil.

Lopez was charged with misdemeanor petit larceny and also issued a traffic ticket for having a suspended/revoked driver’s license. He was released on an appearance ticket and is due in Moreau Town Court on Sept. 27.

Used cooking oil is a valuable commodity that can be used in biofuel.