LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Stolen surveillance cameras, a parking lot fire and cooking oil thefts. A Louisville bar says vandals have targeted them for months. 

The owners of Bambi Bar in the Highlands said grease trap thefts have really ramped up in recent weeks.

"I think someone's watching the place," owner Paul Jarrell said. "They know what they're doing. They know what they're after."

"Unsafe" and "uneasy" are two new feelings for Jarrell and his wife, Beth. They've owned Bambi Bar for nearly a decade.

"This is all we got," Jarrell said. "Me and my wife put our whole lives into this place. This is how we pay our bills. This is how we feed our kids."

Now, they're on edge. For months, crime has plagued their parking lot time and time again. One day, Jarrell said a woman stole a security camera near the bar's front door.

Security video from another night shows a man lighting his pants on fire. The flames were just feet away from the wooden bar.

"It could have burnt the whole building down," Jarrell said.

But most often, thieves drain the cooking oil from Bambi Bar's grease pot. Experts tell WDRB that oil is worth roughly $1.50 per gallon and is used in animal feed and biofuels.

"We switch up the days that we change out grease," Jarrell said. "They still hit us."

Jarrell said two men repeatedly show up between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. in a big white van. Their license plate is covered in surveillance video. The two men act as a well oiled machine, showing up with trash pumps and hoses to drain the tank within minutes.

"They're stealing it weekly," Jarrell said. "Sometimes a couple times a week."

In response to the recent thefts, Bambi Bar upgraded its grease trap. The lock used to sit on top, which made it easy to snap and break into. Now, it's more hidden.

"So far so good," Jarrell said. "But we've only had it for three days."

It's not just Bambi Bar. WDRB has reported extensively on other targeted restaurants.

The Louisville Metro Police Department shared the following statement with WDRB on Wednesday:

"LMPD is aware that, over the years, there have been occasional reports of used cooking oil thefts from restaurants in Louisville. At this time, LMPD does not have any known suspects related to these incidents. This type of theft appears to be infrequent currently. While these incidents can be frustrating for business owners, there is currently no indication of an active or widespread pattern impacting restaurants across the city. LMPD encourages business owners to report any thefts or suspicious activity so incidents can be documented and investigated appropriately. Taking preventive measures, such as securing grease bins and monitoring service areas, can also help reduce the risk of theft."

Jarrell now contemplates catching the criminals himself.

"We're going to keep this place safe at all costs," he said.

If you have any information on these thieves, Bambi Bar has been collecting tips on Facebook. 

You can also call LMPD's anonymous Crime Tip Line at 502-574-LMPD (5673) or submit an anonymous tip on the Crime Tip Portal by clicking here.

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