Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced charges against seven suspects accused in an organized retail theft ring targeting Home Depot stores, including locations in Duval and St. Johns counties.

“This operation is the result of a great partnership between Florida’s Ag Law and our Office of Statewide Prosecution,” Uthmeier said. “We are proud that Florida doesn’t have stores with merchandise locked behind glass like you see in California, and we intend to keep it that way.”

Investigators say the criminal enterprise centered around smoke detector thefts at Home Depot stores across 17 Florida counties, with investigators uncovering at least 44 smoke detector thefts statewide. The total estimated loss from this organized retail crime ring exceeds $800,000.

Commissioner of Agri

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