The bust last month of members of an alleged organized retail theft ring in California that Home Depot said was the largest in its history was the result of a corporate investigation years in the making.

In an exclusive interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, a Home Depot official detailed how the company tracked the alleged members, helped build a case internally based on surveillance footage and other evidence, and helped law enforcement agencies make arrests.

In Southern California, prosecutors say alleged participants swiped electrical merchandise — such as dimmer switches, circuit breakers and outlets — from multiple Home Depot stores. That merchandise was allegedly resold through the group leader’s business. Felony charges were filed against nine individuals in late August

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