Attorney General Ashley Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution has taken decisive action against a group of thieves who orchestrated an organized retail theft ring, siphoning off over $100,000 from Home Depot stores. The individuals involved in this illicit operation, identified as Vicky Popat, Christopher Abad, and Christopher Eduardo Baglin, engaged in a sophisticated scheme that involved swapping barcodes on high-value roof sealers for significantly cheaper items.
In response to the investigation's findings, Attorney General Ashley Moody emphasized the severity of the group's actions, stating, "This group switched barcodes at self-checkout stations on expensive roof sealers for items that cost 95-97% less, and hit multiple Home Depot stores a day—ultimately stealing more than $100,000." Moody underscored Florida's commitment to upholding the rule of law, declaring, "Florida is a law-and-order state, and we are dismantling organized retail theft rings."
Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson commended the collaborative efforts that led to the apprehension of the perpetrators, stating, "I'm proud of our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement for helping to end a 3-year-long organized crime spree." Simpson highlighted Florida's unwavering stance against criminal activities, asserting, "Florida is relentless in our pursuit of justice and will not tolerate this criminal activity."
The group's modus operandi involved switching barcodes on Henry 887 Tropi-Cool roof sealant, valued between $248-$445, with Henry 345 Pre-Mixed Floor Patch, priced at $9.98, at self-checkout stations across Home Depot stores in 11 counties. The thieves managed to execute their scheme by targeting multiple stores daily, with each transaction involving the illicit exchange of four to 16 buckets.
As a result of the investigation, Popat faces a grand theft charge exceeding $100,000, while Abad and Baglin are individually charged with grand theft exceeding $20,000. Additionally, all members of the group are collectively charged with a scheme to defraud exceeding $20,000.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement spearheaded the investigation, with Attorney General Moody's Office of Statewide Prosecution set to prosecute the case. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and stakeholders have underscored Florida's commitment to combating organized retail theft and ensuring a safer environment for residents and visitors alike.