In some surprising news out of Wayne County, a local man has been accused of selling stolen equipment, which he allegedly took from several Home Depot branches, including one in Farmington Hills.
Jonathan Allen, a 33-year-old resident of Ecorse, was recently brought in front of a magistrate on four felony charges. These afflictions are related to Allen allegedly stealing, and then selling, Home Depot rental equipment. He is now confronted with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, which amounts to a whopping 20-year felony, in addition to three separate counts of False Pretenses — $20,000 or more but less than $50,000.
An authority’s email stated that they believe Allen sold a series of heavy equipment, such as a backhoe, excavator and lift, to a man from Harrison in June and July. Contrary to the truth, Allen advertised this equipment on Facebook Marketplace claiming it to belong to a recently deceased relative of his.
A deeper investigation led to the discovery that the heavy equipment in question was actually rented from Home Depot locations in Taylor, Utica and Farmington Hills, but was unfortunately never returned. The estimated worth of the machinery, which Allen sold for $23,000, is over $70,000. Thankfully, all the stolen equipment has been recovered since then.
On a larger scale, this charade has not only taken a toll on the individual who was deceived into handing down his thousands of dollars, but it also interrupted the day-to-day operations at the several Home Depot sites. Plus, local customers who frequently rely on these tools for their own projects were affected as well.
The legal team is focused on holding accountable those who perpetrate such organized retail crimes. Allen’s next appearance in the courtroom is set for Aug. 19. With every passing moment, more and more residents of Wayne County are looking on, hoping for a swift and just resolution to this unsettling incident.
