JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Jacksonville Beach police have arrested five people police say are connected to a retail theft ring responsible for more than $22,000 in stolen merchandise from a local Home Depot.
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department says it received reports April 9, linking 24 separate thefts at the Jacksonville Beach Home Depot that occurred between Jan. 2 and April 9.
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Investigation leads to arrests
Detective Filbert of the General Investigations Unit (GIU) partnered with Home Depot Loss Prevention personnel to identify those responsible. On April 13, detectives say they learned the suspects had just committed another theft at a Home Depot in Jacksonville and were believed to be heading to the Jacksonville Beach location.
Working with GIU detectives, Downtown CAPE officers and patrol officers, law enforcement officers say they quickly located the suspects’ vehicle and took four people into custody. Officers also recovered nearly $2,500 in stolen merchandise during the operation
As the investigation continued, detectives say they identified two additional suspects connected to the theft ring. One has since been arrested, and the second currently has an outstanding arrest warrant.
The five defendants collectively face 97 criminal charges.