Jonathan Allen, 33, of Ecorse, was arraigned yesterday before Magistrate Steven R. Worpell in the 80th District Court in Harrison on four felony charges for allegedly stealing and subsequently selling Home Depot rental equipment, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. He was charged with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, and three counts of False Pretenses - $20,000 or more but less than $50,000.
The Attorney General’s office alleges Allen sold multiple pieces of heavy equipment, including a backhoe, excavator, and lift, to a Harrison man in June and July of 2023. The equipment was allegedly advertised on Facebook Marketplace and explained as belonging to a recently deceased relative of Allen’s. The Department alleges that the heavy equipment was rented from Home Depot locations in Taylor, Utica, and Farmington Hills and never returned. The estimated value of the alleged stolen machinery exceeds $70,000; Allen sold it for $23,000. All stolen equipment has been recovered.
“This scheme not only victimized the individual who was conned out of thousands of dollars but also disrupted business operations at several Home Depot locations and impacted countless customers who rely on these tools for their projects,” Nessel said. “My FORCE Team is committed to holding accountable those who commit organized retail crimes.”
Allen will next appear in the 80th District Court on August 19th.
The FORCE Team and the Organized Retail Crime Unit were established in January 2023 by the Attorney General to target criminal organizations that steal products from retailers to repackage and sell for profit. Two assistant attorneys general serve the FORCE Team full-time alongside special agents within the Department of Attorney General and Michigan State Police detectives to investigate and prosecute these crimes. The unit also partners with the FBI’s Detroit Fraud and Financial Crimes Task Force and the Postal Inspection Service. This is a first-in-the-nation unit with embedded staff from the Department of Attorney General.
The FORCE Team collaborates with retailers and local law enforcement agencies to combat organized retail crime. Recent corporate partners include Sam’s Club/Walmart, Meijer, Target, Home Depot, TJ Maxx, Rite-Aid Lululemon Ulta Beauty Amazon Lowe's
Local law enforcement agencies or retailers with evidence of organized retail fraud are encouraged to email the FORCE Team.
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Please note: For all criminal proceedings a criminal charge is merely an allegation The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty The Department does not provide booking photos