WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Six people are facing grand theft charges for stealing nearly $600,000 worth of heavy equipment from Home Depot in a multi-county fraud scheme, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
The sheriff held a news conference on Thursday with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to detail the crime sting dubbed "Operation Heavy Lift."
According to Judd, the criminal organization, led by Byron Johnson, helped fill out one-day rental forms for heavy equipment from Home Depot stores across Florida to then turn around and sell the stolen equipment on social media.
The sheriff's office said the thefts involved Toro Dingo utility loaders, stump grinders, trenches and mini excavators stolen across 16 Florida counties — including Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties.
In total, Judd said the group stole 61 pieces of equipment resulting in a loss to Home Depot "well over $1 million," however, the charges reflect the current market value of the equipment, which is close to $600,000.
“Over the past few years, we have seen lawlessness as it relates to retail theft. We’ve seen organized thefts skyrocket around the nation," Moody said. “Thieves will always end up on the losing end of a bargain here in Polk County."
Johnson was arrested several times, including one arrest that was captured on the Volusia County Sheriff's Office live stream "On Patrol Live." Judd said Ivan Ramirez, who runs a construction rental company in Bradenton, was also arrested for knowingly buying stolen equipment from Johnson.
Marquiel Joseph and Michael White were arrested for their alleged involvement in the scheme, while Natasha Anderson and Dwight Williams are still wanted.
Anyone with information on where Anderson and Williams may be is asked to contact Crime Stoppers to be eligible for a cash reward.