Thirteen individuals have been charged with grand larceny, conspiracy, and possession of stolen property in connection with an organized retail theft ring that swiped over $2.2 million worth of merchandise from Home Depot stores across nine states.
The Queens District Attorney's Office announced the charges on Thursday, stating that the crew had conducted more than 300 documented thefts between August 2024 and September 2025, with officials tracing the ring back to a series of meetings at a parking lot in East Elmhurst. The group allegedly targeted specific Home Depot locations by scouring online listings on the retailer's website and app, receiving directions from leader Armando Diaz through earbuds.
According to authorities, crew members would browse aisles and steal items based on Diaz's instructions, often using distraction tactics such as one member creating a diversion while another wheeled goods out of the store. The stolen merchandise was then funneled into the black market, with fences selling the items for thousands of dollars each day.
The ring's haul ranged from $1,800 to nearly $35,000 per day, with officials estimating that the total value of the stolen goods stands at around $2.2 million – but this figure could rise as more items are uncovered.
Those involved in the scheme face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Eleven defendants were arraigned on Wednesday, while another is still at large. The crew's level of coordination and discipline has left authorities marveling, with Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz saying that their efficiency would boost productivity nationwide.
Among those charged are five Queens residents, including Diaz and lookout Joana Carolina "La Mona" Fermin, as well as individuals from Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.
The Queens District Attorney's Office announced the charges on Thursday, stating that the crew had conducted more than 300 documented thefts between August 2024 and September 2025, with officials tracing the ring back to a series of meetings at a parking lot in East Elmhurst. The group allegedly targeted specific Home Depot locations by scouring online listings on the retailer's website and app, receiving directions from leader Armando Diaz through earbuds.
According to authorities, crew members would browse aisles and steal items based on Diaz's instructions, often using distraction tactics such as one member creating a diversion while another wheeled goods out of the store. The stolen merchandise was then funneled into the black market, with fences selling the items for thousands of dollars each day.
The ring's haul ranged from $1,800 to nearly $35,000 per day, with officials estimating that the total value of the stolen goods stands at around $2.2 million – but this figure could rise as more items are uncovered.
Those involved in the scheme face up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Eleven defendants were arraigned on Wednesday, while another is still at large. The crew's level of coordination and discipline has left authorities marveling, with Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz saying that their efficiency would boost productivity nationwide.
Among those charged are five Queens residents, including Diaz and lookout Joana Carolina "La Mona" Fermin, as well as individuals from Brooklyn and other parts of New York City.
that's crazy. I guess the thieves were good at their job, coordinating with earbuds and all 
, but still, 300 documented thefts is wild. It's like they had a whole system set up - scouting out online listings and targeting specific stores... it's just ridiculous how much stuff they managed to swipe. And now those involved could be looking at up to 25 years in prison? 
that's a long time. I don't get why the DA is saying their efficiency would boost productivity nationwide though... isn't that just a weird way of saying "we need to catch these thieves ASAP"? 
. I mean I get it, they might've had a system down pat, but 300+ documented thefts is just crazy 
. And the level of coordination between them is wild - scouting out stores online and getting instructions through earbuds? 
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. And now they're facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted - that's some serious time 
. I'm curious to see how long it takes for them all to get caught and sentenced 
.
So, you gotta wonder how they managed to pull off such a massive operation without getting caught for so long? I mean, the fact that they were using earbuds to receive instructions is just wild 
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. I'm no expert, but it seems like their level of organization and coordination would actually be beneficial to businesses in general 
. Maybe we could learn from the "efficiency" of this crew?
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. It's like they were part of some kind of elaborate game show, except instead of winning prizes, they're facing serious prison time 
. I guess that just goes to show that you can't underestimate the cunning and desperation of people who are willing to commit a crime like this.
. It's not enough, but it's better than nothing.
what's the deal with the earbuds tho? like they're getting instructions through music 
. $2.2 million is a huge sum and it's crazy that they were able to swipe all that cash without getting caught for so long 
. It's not like they were just random thieves, they had a system in place 
. And it's insane that some of these people could make thousands of dollars per day selling the stolen goods 
. I mean, I get it, desperation can drive people to do crazy things, but 25 years in prison is still a pretty harsh sentence 
.
But seriously, $2.2 million is a huge amount of money, and I hope these thieves get what's coming to them. The fact that they were able to funnel the stolen merchandise into the black market and sell it for thousands of dollars each day just shows how ruthless they were.
Maybe it's better that the DA is thinking about boosting productivity nationwide... maybe we can get some new jobs created by putting these thieves behind bars? 
. And what's even wilder is that they're using earbuds to receive directions? Like, how hard can it be to orchestrate such a massive heist without someone getting caught? 
$2.2 million is no joke! i mean, i get it, hard times, but stealing that much cash? not cool 
I mean, $2.2 million is a crazy amount of cash, like what even is the point? 
They steal it all and then just sell it online for thousands each day... it's wild how organized they got, must've had some serious inside help or something. And can you believe the leader was sending instructions through earbuds? Like, what's next? 
it's like a game of retail hide and seek. and now they're facing serious prison time, which is about time 
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. It's pretty impressive that they caught so many people in one go 
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I hope they get help and support to deal with whatever issues led them to do something like this.
. And get this, the DA is actually praising their "efficiency" as if that's a good thing 