Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that seven individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with an organized retail theft ring targeting The Home Depot stores across Florida. The Office of Statewide Prosecution, in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, led the investigation.
According to authorities, the group is accused of stealing smoke detectors from at least 44 The Home Depot locations spanning 17 counties in Florida. The total estimated loss to The Home Depot exceeds $800,000. During a search warrant executed at a storage unit in Hillsborough County, law enforcement recovered $78,000 worth of stolen merchandise. This site was identified as part of the trafficking route for the stolen goods before they were transported to a warehouse in Houston, Texas. A subsequent search by Houston Police found approximately $300,000 worth of product at the Texas facility.
“These defendants share a combined total of over 170 prior charges between them,” according to officials.
Attorney General Uthmeier stated: “This operation is the result of a great partnership between Florida’s Ag Law and our Office of Statewide Prosecution. We are proud that Florida doesn’t have stores with merchandise locked behind glass like you see in California, and we intend to keep it that way.”
Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson commented: “Today’s announcement shows Florida means business when it comes to organized retail theft. Our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement — working with local and state partners — led a months-long investigation that dismantled a major criminal enterprise stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars of products from Home Depot stores across our state. While too many states are weakening their laws and turning a blind eye to retail theft, Florida is strengthening its laws and holding criminals accountable. If you steal from Florida businesses and citizens, expect to be caught and prosecuted.”
Scott Glenn, vice president of asset protection for The Home Depot said: “At The Home Depot, combating organized retail crime is about protecting the safety of our customers, associates, and communities. We’re grateful for the leadership and willingness of Attorney General Uthmeier and Florida lawmakers to stop these criminals, and we remain committed to working with law enforcement and policymakers to address this growing issue.”
Lorena Holley, vice president and general counsel for the Florida Retail Federation added: “The Florida Retail Federation is grateful for the leadership of Attorney General James Uthmeier, Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and our law enforcement partners in combating organized retail crime. This cross-agency collaboration not only brings criminals to justice but also protects Florida businesses, retail team members and consumers, reinforcing our state’s reputation as the nation’s law-and-order state.”
The suspects facing felony charges include Willie Hendry Delmarta Marquis Harvin; Earl Choyce Gordon II; Charles McCloud Jr.; Eduardo Franco Viruet; Dwight Rachard Mosby; Eugene Rohala Oneal; Hermis Brayan Martinez Sierra.
Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Ben Grueschow and Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Paul Dontenville will prosecute the case.
The alleged thefts occurred at store locations throughout Pasco, Polk, Highlands, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Orange, St. Lucie, Brevard, Lee, Manatee, Flagler, Sarasota, Seminole, Duval, St. Johns Miami-Dade,and Palm Beach counties.
