A pair of slick crooks tried to give cops the slip early Monday morning, but ended up behind bars as police stopped a potential grease theft.
Burbank Police Officers on routine patrol observed a truck and two men near the rear area of the Carl’s Jr. restaurant located at 1320 N. San Fernando Blvd., at 12:40 a.m. The two got in the truck and drove to the gasoline station at San Fernando Blvd. and Burbank Blvd. where the officers stopped them.
In the bed of the truck were two large containers with grease all over them. In addition, there were hoses attached to the containers. Based on their investigation, the evidence, and statements made by the two men, the offices believed they were planning on stealing grease from the Carl’s Jr.
Arrested for conspiracy and grand theft were Ronnie Bolton, 25, and Lionel Bowden, 23, both of Compton. Their truck was impounded as evidence, and both men were transported to the Burbank Jail, where their bail was set at $20,000 each. Bolton made bail and is due to appear in court on May 21.
Bowden, who was out of prison due to Governor Brown’s early release program, will be returning to prison, according to police.
Used cooking oil and grease, like that used by restaurants, is collected and recycled into bio-fuel for diesel engines. The market price paid for it is currently around $2 per gallon according to an industry spokesman, who noted that people stealing the grease don’t follow the strict environmental regulations that legitimate companies must follow. Turing used oil and grease from restaurants is reportedly a half billion dollar a year industry.
