Three Northeast Ohio men have been charged with a series of thefts that spanned nearly three months.
A grand jury indicted Terry Foster and Robert West of Cleveland, as well as Todd Hercules of Strongsville, in connection with a string of thefts that occurred between June 22 and September 9, according to a Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office Facebook post on Saturday.
The trio allegedly committed 50 different thefts at Home Depot stores, authorities report. In total, more than $68,000 was stolen from these shops in Northeast Ohio, including around $20,000 stolen in Geauga County.
The Bainbridge Police Department began working with the Home Depot loss prevention team in early September. Police were tasked with locating three people acting as contractors and picking up prepaid orders.
Given that both Foster and West have been convicted or pled guilty to felony theft within the last three years, authorities said they will be charged with a fourth-degree felony in this case.
In addition, because the thefts were organized, the grand jury accused Foster and West under Ohio’s racketeering legislation. Foster was charged with one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt action and fifteen counts of grand theft. The grand jury indicted West on one count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and thirteen counts of grand larceny. Hercules was charged with four counts of stealing, a fifth-degree felony.
The Chardon Police Department assisted with the investigation. Authorities have issued arrest warrants for all three defendants. When caught, they will appear in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas.
Leave a Reply