2 brothers indicted in organized retail theft scheme targeting Home Depot stores

Two men in their 20's were indicted for their roles in an organized theft ring that targeted Home Depot stores throughout the county.

BY TOM KUEBEL

Aug 1, 2025, 1:22 PM Updated: 8:25 pm

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PHOENIX — Two brothers were indicted for their roles in an organized theft ring that targeted Home Depot stores throughout the state.

Authorities say the two men stole tools and air conditioning units, using fake receipts in some cases, and resold them on Facebook Marketplace.

German Juarez Espinoza, 29, and Jacinto Juarez Espinoza, 23, were indicted on 13 and 12 counts, respectively.

The counts include organized retail theft, trafficking in stolen property and fraudulent schemes and artifices at Home Depot stores in Glendale, Avondale, Chandler, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Mesa, Queen Creek, Tempe and Oro Valley, according to court documents.

Details of Home Depot theft scheme in Arizona

According to the documents, police were notified of the thefts by a regional organized retail theft investigator from Home Depot in June.

The investigator said the home improvement retailer began investigating the thefts in April after goods were stolen from a store in Albuquerque.

The crime was noticed after looking through loss reports and surveillance footage.

The suspects, who were later identified as German and Jacinto Espinoza, would grab items known to have a high resale value, such as air conditioners or Milwaukee tools, put them into a shopping cart, then walk out through the main entrance.

Another tactic used by the suspects was purchasing an item with cash, then coming back inside with the receipt and stealing other items.

The thefts in Arizona began in March and the merchandise the pair stole was worth more than $14,700. More than $1,500 was ultimately recovered by Home Depot.

The court documents identify German and Jacinto Espinoza as brothers.

Police were able to locate the brothers at an apartment complex near 67th and Glendale avenues in Glendale and took them into custody during a traffic stop.

A search warrant was served at their apartment and officers found four Milwaukee pack-out vacuums, which had been stolen.

Officers also found clothing that matched what the suspects in surveillance footage from the affected Home Depots were wearing.

The brothers both confessed to the thefts, according to the court documents.

German Espinoza’s case is set for trial in December while Jacinto Espinoza’s trial is scheduled for November.

Rise of organized retail theft

In 2024, organized retail theft cases increased by 45%, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

There were 616 cases reported in 2023 and 891 in 2024.

Prosecutors from around the state have made it a point of emphasis to target these criminals and reduce those numbers.

“Our emphasis on really holding these people accountable is working because we’re getting more cases in and we’re prosecuting more cases,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in January.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes added that the legislature should step in to provide businesses the support they need.

“Congress must act now to provide stronger tools to disrupt these operations, hold offenders accountable and protect businesses and consumers alike,” Mayes said in a February press release.

Organized theft, however, continues to be a problem in Arizona with multiple busts reported in July.

In one of the stings, a multi-person operation allegedly trafficked more than $350,000 in stolen merchandise earlier this month.