Thirteen Suspects Nabbed in $2.2 Million Home Depot Heist Ring
A coordinated crew of thieves, allegedly led by Queens resident Armando Diaz, has been brought down after a massive 780-count indictment revealed their role in swiping over $2.2 million worth of merchandise from Home Depot stores across nine states.
According to authorities, the group's operations were remarkably efficient, with members meeting daily at a parking lot in East Elmhurst to plan and execute their heists. The crew would review Home Depot's website and app listings to determine which items to target, with Diaz giving instructions through earbuds to his team via earpieces.
In some instances, thieves used distraction tactics to create an opportunity for others to wheel stolen goods out of stores on carts. Lookouts like Joana Carolina "La Mona" Fermin would keep watch over the crew's activities, while fences sold the stolen merchandise on the black market for a profit.
The group's hauls varied greatly, ranging from $1,800 to nearly $35,000 in stolen merchandise each day. However, after the items were obtained by the thieves, they were turned over to five fences who would resell them.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the crew was "amazingly coordinated, disciplined, meticulous and dedicated," a quality that if applied to all, could boost productivity nationwide. Eleven defendants have been arraigned so far, with another scheduled for later, while one defendant remains at large.
If convicted, those involved in the group could face up to 25 years in prison, depending on their individual roles within the crew. Meanwhile, authorities estimate the total value of stolen merchandise stands at around $1.5 million but may increase as more goods are uncovered.
The investigation was launched after the DA's office found evidence of stolen air conditioners from Home Depot, which prompted officials to look deeper into organized retail theft.
A coordinated crew of thieves, allegedly led by Queens resident Armando Diaz, has been brought down after a massive 780-count indictment revealed their role in swiping over $2.2 million worth of merchandise from Home Depot stores across nine states.
According to authorities, the group's operations were remarkably efficient, with members meeting daily at a parking lot in East Elmhurst to plan and execute their heists. The crew would review Home Depot's website and app listings to determine which items to target, with Diaz giving instructions through earbuds to his team via earpieces.
In some instances, thieves used distraction tactics to create an opportunity for others to wheel stolen goods out of stores on carts. Lookouts like Joana Carolina "La Mona" Fermin would keep watch over the crew's activities, while fences sold the stolen merchandise on the black market for a profit.
The group's hauls varied greatly, ranging from $1,800 to nearly $35,000 in stolen merchandise each day. However, after the items were obtained by the thieves, they were turned over to five fences who would resell them.
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, the crew was "amazingly coordinated, disciplined, meticulous and dedicated," a quality that if applied to all, could boost productivity nationwide. Eleven defendants have been arraigned so far, with another scheduled for later, while one defendant remains at large.
If convicted, those involved in the group could face up to 25 years in prison, depending on their individual roles within the crew. Meanwhile, authorities estimate the total value of stolen merchandise stands at around $1.5 million but may increase as more goods are uncovered.
The investigation was launched after the DA's office found evidence of stolen air conditioners from Home Depot, which prompted officials to look deeper into organized retail theft.
I'm just wondering how did they manage to pull off all those heists without getting caught? 
I mean, 780 counts of indictment is a lot! It's crazy to think about how efficient their plan was, especially with the distraction tactics and the fences selling the merchandise on the black market. 
But, like DA Katz said, being coordinated and disciplined can be a good thing... maybe they could apply that to something more positive? 
Like, imagine if they used those skills to start up their own businesses or help people in need! 
Wouldn't that be awesome? 
i'm literally shaking right now!! this is like something out of a movie lol armando diaz and his crew are soooo clever... i mean who needs tv when you've got thieves using earpieces and distraction tactics 
anyway, 780 counts of theft is CRAZY!!! $2.2 million is no joke either... home depot is gonna be like "what just happened?!" 
anyway, i'm rooting for the authorities to get those fences who sold the stolen goods on the black market - they sound shady 
. It's crazy how organized crime can be so efficient.
. I think that's a pretty valid point, actually. We could learn from their discipline and dedication 
.
. The estimated value of the stolen goods is crazy too - $1.5 million, but it could be more when they find all the hidden stuff 
.
. Not exactly the kind of 'coordination' I'd want to see more of in everyday life, if you know what I mean... 
This whole thing just smells like a mess to me.
seriously though, the fences on the black market r gettin rich off this tho but idk how u get away with stealin so much merch & not get caught yet, like what's the plan? are they just rollin up to the next store willy nilly?
but then again, if we're gonna say they're "disciplined" and "dedicated", doesn't that sound kinda hypocritical coming from the authorities who are supposed to uphold the law? 
But seriously, I hope the defendants get the help they need and learn from their mistakes. And who knows, maybe one day we'll see a similar investigation lead to some amazing productivity boost 
Just imagine it: a whole office where everyone shows up on time, works efficiently, and meets their deadlines like clockwork. I'd pay money to work somewhere like that! 
. I mean, $2.2 million is a crazy amount of cash... like, what's the point of even stealing that much stuff? 
. But at the same time, it's still pretty messed up that they're taking advantage of Home Depot like that.
. It's crazy to think about how coordinated and careful they were - 25 years in prison sounds like a good fit for some of these guys 
. It's not easy knowing that your job is being targeted and you can't do anything to stop it.
. Like, I get it, but can we please focus on helping people who are struggling rather than using crime as a way to talk about productivity? 
. They deserve justice and closure, and I hope that this arrest brings them some sense of peace 
.
It's crazy that they could pull off heists like this and still manage to stay one step ahead of the law. The coordination and planning must have taken hours to execute each day. I'm not sure if it's good or bad that their leader, Armando Diaz, is a Queens resident - does that mean he's got connections in the city?