In a massive crackdown on retail theft, the Queens District Attorney's Office, in collaboration with New York State Police, has put a stop to a sophisticated fencing operation that pilfered over $2.2 million in goods from Home Depot stores across nine states. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz along with Governor Kathy Hochul announced a 780-count indictment against 13 individuals for their roles in this elaborate scheme, as reported by the Queens District Attorney's Office. The defendants are accused of grand larceny, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property, following a trail of 319 documented thefts.
Theft crew members, spaced out in several stores, seemingly fooled everyone as ordinary shoppers while they were stealing insulation kits to smoke alarms. According to Katz, these orchestrated thefts took place between August 14, 2024, and September 11, 2025, and the crew often hit multiple Home Depot locations in one day, sometimes even returning to the same store multiple times. Following a tip-off from surveillance in an unrelated case, the Queens District Attorney's Office began an investigation in June 2024 and worked meticulously to map the extent of these crimes. The items were peddled to consumers via a Brooklyn storefront and even on platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
At a press conference, Governor Hochul expressed her administration's dedication to combating crime, emphasizing the establishment of a retail theft task force and the passing of stronger laws aimed at retail theft offenders. "We’re stopping organized retail theft rings in their tracks and ensuring a safer retail environment," Hochul noted. Superintendant of the New York State Police, Steven G. James, sternly warned perpetrators of retail theft of the law's reach and the consequences in store for them, as per the Queens District Attorney's Office.
Scott Glenn, Vice President of Asset Protection at The Home Depot, acknowledged the effort by the authorities, praising their success in unraveling the extensive retail crime that has long affected the company. "Combating organized retail crime goes far beyond our bottom line," Glenn shared. Meanwhile, the outcome of numerous searches conducted yielded an impressive cache of goods estimated at $1.5 million and counting. These seizures included a broad array of items, spanning from lithium-ion batteries to portable jump starters, according to the Queens District Attorney's Office.
The defendants, such as the alleged ringleader Armando Diaz and his associates, are looking at severe penalties with prison terms of up to 25 years if convicted. "La Mona" Fermin was among those accused of playing lookout during the heists. With eleven defendants already arraigned and one still at large, the court proceedings will continue into January. The case is being prosecuted under the guidance of experienced attorneys from the DA's Major Economic Crimes Bureau. While indictments serve as formal charges, these defendants will remain presumed innocent until proven otherwise.
