Prosecutors claim that Home Depot's rental division is still fighting against the theft of its heavy gear via schemes in which the perpetrators sell the pieces of equipment on Facebook Marketplace.
Seven defendants faced charges earlier this month from federal prosecutors in Oregon. The counts included conspiracy to steal heavy gear from Home Depot by renting it out and then failing to return it.
The indictment, which Court Watch first revealed, claims that members of the organization would use credit and debit card information that they had stolen to travel to the retailer's rental desk in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado and borrow the equipment.
Additionally, according to the prosecution, the defendants "often used their real driver's license" as the necessary form of identity.
However, according to court filings, the defendants decided to sell the equipment on Facebook Marketplace and other online marketplaces rather than returning it.
The prosecution said that in every case, the products were put up for sale on Facebook and other websites, GPS monitoring devices were turned off, and the equipment was borrowed for a single day's use.
The thefts are very similar to numerous incidents that have occurred in the previous year, including two in Florida and one in Washington.
One case was a guy who led a criminal organization that hired over 60 pieces of heavy machinery, including trenchers, stump grinders, and excavators, and never gave them back, costing Home Depot over $1 million. The prosecutor in Florida sentenced him to eight years in jail.
The local Fox station claimed that officials said he also used his real ID while borrowing equipment.
Additionally, the Attorney General of Florida filed charges against a different guy last month in an eerily identical plot that included 21 pieces of equipment and cost Home Depot over $460,000.
Home Depot and other retailers have been warning about theft in several years, saying that it would cost the sector an estimated $41 billion in 2022. The theft problem extends beyond the rental desk.
Specifically, the home improvement merchant has implemented precautions such as locked-up displays and power equipment that need activation at the point of sale to deter shoplifters.
Seven defendants faced charges earlier this month from federal prosecutors in Oregon. The counts included conspiracy to steal heavy gear from Home Depot by renting it out and then failing to return it.
The indictment, which Court Watch first revealed, claims that members of the organization would use credit and debit card information that they had stolen to travel to the retailer's rental desk in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado and borrow the equipment.
Additionally, according to the prosecution, the defendants "often used their real driver's license" as the necessary form of identity.
However, according to court filings, the defendants decided to sell the equipment on Facebook Marketplace and other online marketplaces rather than returning it.
The prosecution said that in every case, the products were put up for sale on Facebook and other websites, GPS monitoring devices were turned off, and the equipment was borrowed for a single day's use.
The thefts are very similar to numerous incidents that have occurred in the previous year, including two in Florida and one in Washington.
One case was a guy who led a criminal organization that hired over 60 pieces of heavy machinery, including trenchers, stump grinders, and excavators, and never gave them back, costing Home Depot over $1 million. The prosecutor in Florida sentenced him to eight years in jail.
The local Fox station claimed that officials said he also used his real ID while borrowing equipment.
Additionally, the Attorney General of Florida filed charges against a different guy last month in an eerily identical plot that included 21 pieces of equipment and cost Home Depot over $460,000.
Home Depot and other retailers have been warning about theft in several years, saying that it would cost the sector an estimated $41 billion in 2022. The theft problem extends beyond the rental desk.
Specifically, the home improvement merchant has implemented precautions such as locked-up displays and power equipment that need activation at the point of sale to deter shoplifters.
