New York authorities say a multistate organized retail theft ring that targeted Home Depot stores across the country has been dismantled, with 13 people now charged in a sweeping indictment tied to more than $2.2 million in stolen merchandise.
Prosecutors said the case centers on a Queens-based operation accused of stealing goods from Home Depot locations in New York and eight other states, then reselling the items through a Brooklyn storefront and online marketplaces.
The 780-count indictment charges the defendants with grand larceny, conspiracy, and criminal possession of stolen property. Eleven defendants have already been arraigned, one remains at large, and another is expected to be arraigned at a later date. If convicted, members of the alleged theft crew could face up to 25 years in prison, while those accused of fencing the stolen goods face up to 15 years.
According to the Queens District Attorney’s Office, the group carried out 319 thefts between August 2024 and September 2025, targeting 128 Home Depot stores. Investigators said the crew often hit multiple stores in a single day and sometimes returned to the same location several times.
The stolen merchandise included power tools, building supplies, insulation kits, air conditioners, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, roof coating, paper products, and other household and construction items. Prosecutors said the value of goods stolen in a single day ranged from about $1,800 to nearly $35,000.
The investigation began in June 2024, when detectives noticed stolen Home Depot air conditioners during surveillance in an unrelated case. From there, the Queens District Attorney’s Office built the case in partnership with the New York State Police Organized Retail Theft Task Force.
State officials said the case relied heavily on recently enacted laws that allow prosecutors to aggregate the value of stolen goods across multiple incidents and locations when charging organized theft schemes. Those changes were included in the FY25 state budget and were designed to strengthen enforcement against large-scale retail theft operations.
Authorities said the case highlights the growing coordination between state police, district attorneys, and local law enforcement to combat organized retail crime. Since the task force was created, officials report more than $2.6 million in stolen goods recovered statewide, along with more than 1,200 arrests tied to retail theft enforcement efforts.
State data shows reported retail theft is down 14 percent year over year in New York City, with larceny also down 14 percent across the rest of the state during the first seven months of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Officials said the investigation remains ongoing as prosecutors continue to pursue remaining defendants and related cases.
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