Man Accused Of Stealing Used Cooking Oil From LA Restaurants

BEVERLY HILLS, CA — A Lynwood man accused of stealing used cooking oil from Los Angeles restaurants has been arrested by Beverly Hills police, the department announced Tuesday.

Alfredo Jose Padilla was taken into custody on March 24 just before 2 a.m. after police performed an "investigative traffic stop," according to the Beverly Hills Police Department.

Police found a loaded firearm and an unspecified controlled substance in Padilla's vehicle, according to a news release.

Police believe Padilla is responsible for a string of thefts of used cooking oil from multiple restaurants around the Los Angeles area.

The oil, also known as inedible kitchen grease, is traded as a commodity and used in the production of renewable diesel and biodiesel. Restaurants often store the used grease in tanks that are emptied by third-party companies, according to police.

Beverly Hills detectives are working with state Department of Food and Agriculture investigators to identify additional victims.