By Gina Yarbrough
El Cajon, CA–El Cajon Police Department and Home Depot loss prevention agents joined forces on May 17 to execute a robust and united organized retail theft enforcement operation in East County.
During the operation, loss prevention agents alerted El Cajon police undercover detectives and officers of shoplifters exiting the store with stolen merchandise. Officers apprehended the suspects with the merchandise.
While surveilling the Home Depot parking lot, detectives observed an adult male break into an unoccupied SUV and steal an item from inside. The suspect entered a getaway vehicle with two males inside. Officers detained the three individuals and learned they were residents of Houston, Texas. The suspects were found to have over $20,000 in cash.
Upon locating the owner of the burglarized SUV, officers discovered that the victim had recently withdrawn several thousand dollars from an ATM and left the money inside his vehicle before entering Home Depot. Investigators learned the suspects had followed the victim from the ATM to the store where they executed the burglary. Additional evidence linked the suspects to similar thefts, which the El Cajon Police Department is investigating.
According to El Cajon police, the suspects are from out of state and are believed to have committed crimes across multiple jurisdictions. Authorities notified the FBI to review the case.
The three suspects, identified as 30-year-old Darius Russell, 32-year-old Julan Fite, and 36-year-old Fredrick Pierson, were booked into jail on charges of burglary and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Throughout the six-hour operation at the home improvement retailer, seven shoplifters were arrested, and approximately $1,000 worth of Home Depot merchandise was recovered. Due to booking restrictions, the shoplifters were released with notices to appear in court, the police department said.
The El Cajon Police Department continues to combat retail theft and will continue to work with local businesses to ensure the safety and security of the community.
