3 Pittsford men named in federal scheme to steal resell cooking oil
Dec 18, 2024
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Three Pittsford men were charged after prosecutors announced Wednesday that they worked with three other men from New York City to steal cooking oil from restaurants across Monroe County to then resell.
Guodeng Chen, Didi Huang and Fangfang Yan of Pittsford were charged with conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods in interstate commerce and transportation and sale of stolen goods in interstate commerce.
According to prosecutors, three New York City men, Ruimao Yang, Yan Han and Wen Xiao Zhang would drive trucks around to these restaurants, where Zhang would then steal used cooking oil from collection tanks located outside. The used cooking oil is able to be refined into biodiesel fuel and resold for $4-$5 per gallon, officials explained.
The stolen oil was then taken to the three Pittsford men, who allegedly operated out of a warehouse that housed the oil, before those three sold the oil to a broker, prosecutors stated. The oil was then taken across state lines to a refinery in Pennsylvania.
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In April 2022, the three Pittsford men were reportedly paid more than $10,000 for two separate shipments to Pennsylvania.
The New York City men only face the one charge: conspiracy to transport and sell stolen goods in interstate commerce. The maximum punishment of this charge is five years in prison. The additional transportation and sale of stolen goods charge lodged against the Pittsford men carry a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison.