Retail theft is hardly a brand new problem, however it could nonetheless make headlines as a result of sheer scale that organized theft can attain. That is no higher exemplified than the huge House Depot theft ring that was busted in Queens, New York in mid-December. Per ABC7 Eyewitness Information, the group, comprised of 13 people, was concerned in 319 incidents at 128 House Depot areas. The group managed to get away with a whopping $2.2 million price of instruments and development gear.
These 128 House Depot areas have been unfold throughout New York and eight different states. Every incident concerned the theft of between $1,800 and $35,000 price of House Depot merchandise — numbers that make it clear the thieves aimed increased than the numerous worthwhile House Depot instruments below $20. The crew apparently scoped out on-line stock at every of those shops to plan their heists. After that, they met up, mentioned their plans, cut up into two teams, and stole the focused merchandise. Investigators declare that the thieves then offered their stolen wares for revenue. Although one of many 13 thieves is but to be apprehended as of publication, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and legislation enforcement see this bust as a win. Extra particularly, they see it as a significant step in combating retail theft in New York.
New York has been cracking down on retail theft
All through the years, House Depot has been the topic of some main thefts. As an example, in 2024, it was found {that a} group of thieves had focused 11 House Depot areas, utilizing self-checkout scanners to amass $349 buckets of roof sealant for $40 every and promoting them off for a revenue — resulting in virtually $100,000 in losses for House Depot. Not lengthy earlier than, a $20 million crime spree hit House Depot, Lowe’s, and different retailers involving the fraudulent buy and reselling of home equipment and development supplies.
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul believes that this current $2.2 million crackdown is a direct results of the New York State Police Organized Retail Theft Job Pressure. That is an initiative launched in 2024 to fight retail theft that has recovered round $2.6 million in stolen items as of November 2025. “Since we modified the legal guidelines and put cash behind this effort, retail theft crimes are down 14% within the metropolis and throughout the state of New York,” Hochul mentioned within the wake of the most recent House Depot crime ring bust (by way of ABC7 Eyewitness Information), which amounted to a staggering 780-count indictment.
She added that the aim of investing in retail theft prevention and restoration is to make retailer homeowners, staff, and customers safer. Queens District Lawyer Melinda Katz expressed the assumption that this bust sends a transparent message: organized retail crime will not be tolerated or missed all through the borough. If convicted, the members of the House Depot theft crew every withstand 25 years in jail. Time will inform how the remainder of their story will unfold, and what New York’s anti-retail theft efforts will yield sooner or later.
