Two New York men accused of stealing cooking oil from CT businesses

Two New York men were arrested early Wednesday and charged with stealing cooking oil from three Connecticut businesses.

Officers responded to a business on the Providence Turnpike in Brooklyn around 5:20 a.m. on a report of an active theft involving people in a white van with New Jersey plates who were allegedly taking cooking oil from local restaurants. Connecticut State Police.

The person who reported the incident followed the minibus to the parking area and informed the officers of his location. When the police arrived, they found a van with two people inside.

Troopers allege the men stole approximately 135 gallons of refrigeration oil from three businesses, according to state police. The owners were contacted and confirmed that the men did not have permission to enter the facility or take oil.

The suspects were identified as 32-year-old Michael Mejia and 37-year-old Adriano Munoz-Reyes, both of the Bronx, New York, according to state police. They each face charges of sixth-degree burglary, third-degree criminal trespass and possession of burglary tools.

Both were being held on $5,000 bonds and were expected to appear in Danielson Superior Court on Wednesday.