ECORSE, MI — A Wayne County man is facing charges for stealing and selling rental equipment from several Home Depot stores, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office announced.
Jonathan Allen, 33, of Ecorse, was charged with one count of running a criminal organization and three counts of false pretenses over $20,000.00 or more but less than $50,000. His next court date is scheduled for August 19.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
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Officials said Allen had rented several pieces of heavy equipment, including a backhoe, an excavator and a cherry picker, from Home Depot stores in Taylor, Utica and Farmington Hills.
Allen then offered the equipment for sale on Facebook Marketplace, saying the items belonged to a deceased relative, officials said.
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Allen sold the heavy machinery to a Harrison man for $23,000 in June and July 2023, officials said.
According to officials, the equipment is worth more than $70,000.
According to the Attorney General’s Office, officials have seized all stolen equipment.
“This fraud not only harmed the individual who was defrauded of thousands of dollars, but also disrupted business operations at several Home Depot stores and affected countless customers who rely on these tools for their projects,” said Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.
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