Crime & Public Safety.
Two men have been charged with masterminding an organized retail theft organization that targeted Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in eight counties, resulting in a loss of more than $100,,000 for the home improvement retailer.
Jose Gomez and Ysaias Arajuo, no ages or addresses given, are accused of targeting home-improvement stores in Luzerne, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Pike counties, according to the state Office of Attorney General. They are each charged with felony counts of running corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, and theft by unlawful taking, according to prosecutors.
Arajuo is currently wanted by authorities, and Gomez is in custody.
The alleged scheme involved stealing customer account information, which was then accessed on cell phones during self-checkouts, thus stealing $99,689 in merchandise.
Customers disputed the charges and their banks declined to pay Lowe’s, sticking the company with the cost of the theft, according to The Citizens’ Voice.
“These defendants orchestrated a sophisticated scheme that targeted unsuspecting customers as well as Lowe’s businesses across numerous counties,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. “Organized retail theft impacts consumers who will be forced to pay higher prices for goods as businesses raise prices to recover losses.”
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
