Prosecutors Demand Prison for Home Depot Theft Ring Targeting 200 Stores in Northern California

A Major Theft Ring Targeted Home Depot Stores Across Northern California

A group of four individuals, who were responsible for stealing merchandise from nearly 200 Home Depot locations in Northern California over the course of four months, recently faced legal consequences. However, their sentencing has been delayed as the court considers more severe penalties. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the case is under review.

The four suspects—Adolfo Duarte Herrera, 45, of Richmond; Wilmer Ayala, 43, of South San Francisco; Daniel Resendiz, 21; and Jose Martinez, 28, of San Leandro—all pleaded guilty to charges including grand theft, retail theft, receiving stolen property, and conspiracy. Their arrest occurred on April 29 following a large-scale law enforcement operation that included raids on a storage facility in South San Francisco and homes in Richmond, San Leandro, and South San Francisco.

According to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, the group stole approximately $65,000 worth of merchandise between January and April. The thefts spanned multiple counties, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, Sacramento, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, Sonoma, and Yolo. Some stores were targeted repeatedly, with one Home Depot in Emeryville being robbed 24 times.

The group's method of operation involved entering stores, stealing items, and leaving without detection. In some instances, they hit multiple stores in a single day across different county lines. They then resold the stolen goods at flea markets in the Bay Area.

At a news conference outside Santa Clara County Hall of Justice, District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized the severity of the crime. He stated that the sentencing, originally scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed after the court had indicated the possibility of probation. “These are not shoplifters,” Rosen said. “This is a determined, destructive, and dangerous thieving crew of individuals.”

Rosen added that he believes the group deserves prison time, not only because of the scale of their crimes but also due to the impact on retailers and the community. “Retailers, large and small, mom and pops, large national chains—they all say these individuals should receive prison. Really, our whole community says these individuals should receive prison.”

The prosecution of the group was made possible by a new law, AB 1779, which took effect in January. This law allows a single district attorney’s office to handle crimes that occur across county lines. “When we heard about this thieving crew who had committed crimes all over the Bay Area and beyond, we knew this was the perfect case to use this new legal tool,” Rosen said.

One of the defendants, Adolfo Duarte Herrera, was already on probation for previous Home Depot thefts. According to Rosen, Herrera called in sick for a scheduled probation check-in on a day when he was allegedly stealing from Home Depots in Napa and Sonoma counties. “That screams prison,” Rosen said. “Probation hasn’t worked. You're not taking any of this seriously. We need to protect the public, and you need to go to prison.”

Rosen noted that the county probation department recommends six years in prison for Duarte Herrera and five years for Ayala, who he considers the most culpable in the case. “I think those are appropriate sentences,” he said.

The sentencing for the four men is expected to take place in the coming weeks. Rosen expressed hope that the delay would allow for a more suitable punishment. “I'm encouraged that the sentencing will be put off for some time in order for a more appropriate sentence to be given,” he said.