Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution has charged seven individuals in connection with an organized retail theft ring that targeted The Home Depot stores across Florida and other states. The operation, led by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, focused on a criminal enterprise accused of stealing smoke detectors from multiple locations.
“This operation is the result of a great partnership between Florida’s Ag Law and our Office of Statewide Prosecution,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “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 on the outcome: “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, stated: “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.”
Investigators documented at least 44 incidents involving stolen smoke detectors at The Home Depot locations spanning 17 counties in Florida. Losses from these thefts are estimated by The Home Depot at over $800,000. During a search warrant executed at a storage unit in Hillsborough County believed to be part of the trafficking route, authorities recovered $78,000 worth of stolen goods.
Further investigation led Houston Police to find approximately $300,000 worth of product at a warehouse facility in Texas during another search warrant execution. Collectively, those charged have more than 170 prior offenses among them.
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 Palm Beach counties.
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 along with Chief Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Paul Dontenville will oversee prosecution in this case.
