Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announces a significant crackdown on a retail theft ring, resulting in the arrest of eleven out of thirteen suspects accused of stealing from Home Depot stores. This operation marks the largest retail theft bust in the boroughs history, with the alleged thieves facing a massive seven hundred and eighty-count indictment for stealing an estimated two point two million dollars worth of merchandise. The group reportedly carried out three hundred and nineteen separate thefts, distracting store staff before filling large bins and carts with items like building supplies, power tools, and air conditioners. The stolen goods were then resold through various channels, including a storefront, a storage facility, online, and even on the street. The investigation began in April of two thousand twenty-four after noticing a large amount of Home Depot merchandise being sold online. District Attorney Katz credits Governor Kathy Hochul for signing laws that allow prosecutors to pursue these types of crimes more aggressively. If convicted, those involved in the thefts could face up to twenty-five years in prison, while those accused of reselling stolen goods could face up to fifteen years. This ongoing effort highlights the serious impact of organized retail crime, which costs billions of dollars nationwide each year.

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