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Scottsdale police: Man responsible for $10,000 in thefts at Valley Home Depot stores

Posted at 12:23 PM, Oct 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-19 18:14:45-04

Police and Home Depot teamed up to arrest the man responsible for over $10,000 in thefts from multiple stores in five Valley cities.

Court records show that from November of 2015 until September of 2016, 34-year-old Robert Edward Lee II, stole over $10,000 in materials from multiple Home Depot locations. 

Store investigators reported to police that they identified Lee as the man responsible for the thefts after viewing surveillance video. They told police that Lee would allegedly enter the stores empty handed, then select high-dollar items, usually kitchen or bathroom faucets, and attempt to return them without a receipt. They say on most occasions he would be denied the return but would exit the store with the items.

Home Depot reported that Lee attempted about $10,000 in nearly 60 return attempts since November 2015. Surveillance video showed that the vehicle used in all these incidents was a red Dodge truck registered to Lee.

Lee was arrested on October 13 in Phoenix on an unrelated charge. Police say Lee admitted stealing from Home Depot for months and wasn't surprised when police told him he had nearly 60 attempted returns. 

Lee has been charged with organized retail theft and has prior convictions for theft and forgery.