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Prosecutors say the thieves nabbed high-end electrical
merchandise such as circuit breakers and outlets, which the
group's leader resold through his electronics business in the
San Fernando Valley, the Los Angeles Times reported. The Ventura
County district attorney’s office announced this week the filing
of a 48-count criminal complaint against nine people that
allegedly targeted 71 Home Depot locations across multiple
counties, the newspaper reported.
The operation’s alleged leader, 59-year-old David Ahl, faces up
to 32 years in prison if convicted as charged, prosecutors say.
“His crews of thieves, known as boosters, stole merchandise from
the Home Depot’s stores, sometimes hitting every Home Depot in
Ventura County in a single day,” said Ventura County Sheriff Jim
Fryhoff at this week's news conference.
“Then the boosters would deliver the stolen items in trash bags
or Home Depot boxes to his business or to his home, where he
paid them in cash," Fryhoff said. Prosecutors say he owned Arya
Wholesale in the Tarzana neighborhood and lived in nearby
Woodland Hills.
Ahl has pleaded not guilty to charges of organized retail theft
and grand theft. His lawyer did not immediately respond to an
email seeking comment. A phone message could not be left at his
business.
Ahl's brother-in-law and an ex-wife were also charged for
allegedly reselling the stolen goods, including through online
site eBay.
Authorities say they were able to crack the case due to two
state-funded organized retail theft grants that supported
specialized investigators and prosecutors. A new state law
allowed authorities to consolidate the cases as they involved
the same people across multiple counties.
Fed up with smash and grab thefts and organized criminal theft
operations, California voters demanded more punitive measures of
their elected officials. Last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed
legislation bringing back tough criminal penalties targeting
large-scale stealing schemes, and voters in November approved a
ballot measure making shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders.
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