Orlando, FL — Two St. Petersburg men have been arrested in connection with an organized retail theft scheme that investigators say targeted home improvement stores across several west Florida counties.
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrests of Raydel Amado Gines Prieto, 52, and Erisniel Melgarejo Rodriguez, 36, who each face two counts of organized retail theft.
FDLE’s Organized Retail Crime Squad began investigating the case in December 2023 after asset protection representatives from a major retailer reported suspicious theft activity occurring at multiple stores.
Investigators determined the suspects used several methods to steal merchandise, including under-scanning items at self-checkout kiosks, completing fraudulent returns, and leaving stores with shopping carts full of unpaid merchandise.
Authorities say the thefts resulted in more than $370,000 worth of stolen merchandise.
During the investigation, agents linked Gines Prieto and Melgarejo Rodriguez to more than 150 separate retail theft incidents dating back to August 2023.
At the time arrest warrants were issued, Gines Prieto was already in custody on unrelated charges.
On March 2, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office took Melgarejo Rodriguez into custody on the FDLE warrant. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
The case is being prosecuted by the Florida Attorney General’s Office of Statewide Prosecution.
Officials say the investigation remains active.
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