Apple Valley Men Accused of Stealing Used Grease in Faribault

Two Apple Valley men are accused of stealing used grease from some restaurants in Faribault and have been charged with felonies.

According to the criminal complaint, 28-year-old Ping Li and 28-year-old Kang Hua Chen were arrested early Monday morning after an officer spotted a suspicious truck near the Signature Bar and Grill in downtown Faribault.

The truck had "Pioneer Press" decals on the side and had the passenger side door open with a hose going into the bar's grease trap. Authorities were aware of reports of grease thefts from other restaurants in town and confirmed it was the same truck seen at the other restaurants.

The criminal complaint states Chen and Li were outside of the truck, covered with grease when the officer approached. They did not speak English, so Chen called his friend on a cellphone to interpret. The friend told the officer the men were picking the grease up for TES Recycling of Minneapolis. The complaint points out the men had no paperwork confirming their employment and were arrested.

Fresh grease spots were found near a number of other restaurants around town including the Broaster, Taco Johns, Arby's and Gran Plaza, according to the complaint.

Signature Bar's owner told police their grease was to be picked up by a truck that didn't match the description of the one there.

According to the complaint, the combined value of the used grease is more than $1,000.  Thus the felony charges.

Li is charged with aiding and abetting felony theft and Chen is charged with felony theft.