Home improvement retailer hit with $86,000 shoplifting spree
An alleged shoplifting scheme that began in 2012 and racked up $86,000 in stolen Home Depot merchandise has led to the arrest of a suspect.
According to a report in the Arizona Republic, Antoine Elkik of Gilbert, Ariz., was arrested after trying to return stolen items to a Chandler store. According to the report, the suspect used a variation of the double-dip return method of shoplifting – a method that takes advantage of a retailer’s return policies.
Allegedly, the suspect would legitimately purchase an item and leave the store. He would quickly return for the same item and brazenly walk out with it – carrying the receipt from the legitimate purchase to confuse store employees.
In a case involving 402 purchases since 2012, the suspect is alleged to have returned the stolen items for refunds.
Elkik was arrested by Chandler, Ariz., police on March 27. It’s not clear if the retail scheme expanded beyond Home Depot. The description of the suspect’s activity comes from the police department’s probably cause statement to the court.
According to a report in the Arizona Republic, Antoine Elkik of Gilbert, Ariz., was arrested after trying to return stolen items to a Chandler store. According to the report, the suspect used a variation of the double-dip return method of shoplifting – a method that takes advantage of a retailer’s return policies.
Allegedly, the suspect would legitimately purchase an item and leave the store. He would quickly return for the same item and brazenly walk out with it – carrying the receipt from the legitimate purchase to confuse store employees.
In a case involving 402 purchases since 2012, the suspect is alleged to have returned the stolen items for refunds.
Elkik was arrested by Chandler, Ariz., police on March 27. It’s not clear if the retail scheme expanded beyond Home Depot. The description of the suspect’s activity comes from the police department’s probably cause statement to the court.