MESA, Ariz. — Lumber prices are high, but this is a bit much. An Albuquerque man is accused of stealing roughly $46,000 dollars of Home Depot merchandise from stores across the Valley over the last year.
According to court documents, 39-year-old Juan Ambriz-Rincon was arrested on suspicion of committing a spree of 14 organized retail thefts that started back on Oct. 10, 2022 and ran up until Oct. 16, 2023.
Ambriz-Rincon was allegedly seen on surveillance video walking out after not scanning high-value items at the self checkout, leaving with carts full of items without paying, returning items taken from the sales floor for a refund and using fraudulent receipts to trick employees.
Investigators reportedly found a Facebook account linked to Ambriz-Rincon that had postings for large quantities of Home Depot merchandise for sale on the marketplace, documents stated.
The items were for sale to people in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Florida.
On Oct. 17, authorities served several search warrants on Ambriz-Rincon's storage units, vehicles and motel room in Mesa. There, officers recovered merchandise that detectives reportedly saw him taking, as well as several baggies of methamphetamine, according to the report.
Ambriz-Rincon was arrested and booked into Mesa City Jail on charges of trafficking stolen property, organized retail theft, fraud, and dangerous drug possession.
Ambriz-Rincon resides in New Mexico and was released on a $15,000 bail.
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