On Tuesday, Southern California authorities announced the arrest of 14 people accused of what they called the biggest organized retail theft operations directed at Home Depot’s history with nine accusations.
The suspects are allegedly associated with 600 thefts in 71 different home depots, and the losses exceed $ 10 million in several South California counties, officials said.
“They were basically able to remove more than 600 different thefts from the counties of the home depot,” said Nathan Hochman, a lawyer for Los Angeles County. “They had to think that life was great. They earned millions of dollars, didn’t seem to be going to stop them.”
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Photo: Operation has led to arrest and criminal charges submitted to nine defendants associated with the largest home depot theft in the country.
Police say David Ahlas, who A, owned a shop called Aria Wholesale Tarzana, was at the operation center. AHL faces 48 crimes, including conspiracy, organized retail theft, heavy theft, stolen property and money laundering, authorities said.
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It remains detained in Ventura County Prison, with a deposit of $ 500,000 and, if convicted, is threatened with up to 32 years in prison. Information about AHL lawyer was not immediately available.
Ventura County sheriff Jim Fryhoff said AHL “amplifiers” would systematically steal expensive electrical components such as breeders, dimmers and switches, sometimes struck by each home depot in Ventura in one day. The supposedly stolen goods were delivered to AHL business or home in garbage bags or home depot boxes. Boosters remain detained in Ventura County Prison with a $ 250,000 deposit, police said.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Photo: Operation has led to arrest and criminal charges submitted to nine defendants associated with the largest home depot theft in the country.
The investigation also encouraged AHL brother’s stepdaughter, which allegedly sold stolen goods through Ebay. Former AHL wife and her boyfriend were accused of “almost identical” surgery.
During the search, researchers seized about 3.7 million.
The observation footage shown by the officers recorded the suspects, including the one that allegedly rose to security measures when Home Depot helped high -value items for cage and higher shelves.
Ventura County Sheriff’s Office – Photo: Operation has led to arrest and criminal charges submitted to nine defendants associated with the largest home depot theft in the country.
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Darlene Hermoill, Head of Regional Property Protection at Home Depot, emphasized that organized retail crime is not only influenced by profit.
“It is about the well-being and safety of our customers, like-minded and communities where we serve,” she said at a press conference on Tuesday.
The investigation was funded through a state grant program for organized retail theft. All the defendants remain detained and did not admit guilt.
-BC News’ Alyssa sir contributed to this report.