SAN JOSE, Calif. - A Santa Clara Count Superior Court judge on Wednesday is expected to sentence a man charged with organizing a retail theft ring where he and others targeted Home Depot stores in several Northern California counties.

In a rare move, District Attorney Jeff Rosen plans to speak to the judge himself at the hearing.

That's because Rosen believes the defendant is the most culpable offender and either directly stole, or worked as the getaway driver in most of those cases.

According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, four men robbed Home Depot stores in at least 11 counties in more than 200 incidents totaling $90,000 of merchandise stolen.

Investigators say those thieves would take what they stole and sell them at local flea markets.

A special retail theft task f

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