Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody announced criminal charges against the leader of an organized crime ring for stealing approximately $500,000 in heavy equipment from Home Depot shops.
Jereome Downing faces multiple felony counts for stealing heavy equipment such as stump grinders, trenchers, boom lifts, excavators, and more.
Downing claimed to be a wholesaler and sold the equipment on Facebook Marketplace at a discount.
Home Depot lost more than $460,000 as a result of the scheme, as did civilians who purchased the equipment under false pretenses.
“This scheme not only resulted in major losses to Home Depot, but also losses for innocent civilians buying stolen rental equipment under false pretenses. Thanks to the many law enforcement partners in this case and our Statewide Prosecutors, this defendant’s final rent is now due, and he faces serious felony charges,” said Moody.
According to the investigation, Downing sent straw purchasers into Home Depot with prepaid credit cards to rent a piece of heavy equipment, typically lasting between 24 and 48 hours.
Downing then immediately listed the equipment for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
The listings often contained photos of units belonging to Home Depot and offered for prices less than the typical market value.
To explain the discount, Downing claimed to be a wholesaler attempting to sell the items before taking them to auction.
Read: Pennsylvania Man Gets 7 Years For Sexual Exploitation Of Children, Ordered To Pay $18K
Downing also provided the civilian purchasers with a bill of sale stating his name and address.
During the investigation, the scheme resulted in the theft and sale of 21 different pieces of rental equipment, targeting multiple Home Depot stores throughout the state.
The Miami-Dade Police Department and Port St. Lucie Police Department, along with the assistance of many local jurisdictions, investigated this case. Attorney General Moody’s Assistant Statewide Prosecutor Christopher Olowin will prosecute the case.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.