On 12-28-2012, shortly after midnight, the owner of a local restaurant in the 2300 block of W. Florida Avenue called Hemet Police to advise he would be inside his closed restaurant, waiting for suspects who have been stealing grease from his restaurant. The owner related that thieves have been targeting restaurants and stealing thousands of dollars worth of cooking grease, which the thieves later sell to grease recyclers around Southern California. This practice ultimately adds to the cost of meals for families.
At about 1:50am, the owner called and said the suspects were at the restaurant stealing grease. Hemet Police officers were already in the area and found the suspects in their truck.
Two suspects, 22 year old Noel Portillo of Compton, and 24 year old Ricardo Robles of Long Beach, were found inside a Dodge Ram dually pick-up truck with the engine running. The truck contained a large metal tank mounted in the bed. Video surveillance was reviewed and both suspects were taken into custody without incident. The truck was impounded as evidence.
According to the owner, these are the same suspects who have stolen grease from his restaurant on at least two other occasions and may have victimized other establishments as well. Anyone with further information is urged to contact the Hemet Police Department at 951 765-2400.