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14 arrested, $5M in stolen items recovered from Hillsborough County [FL] retail theft scheme
WFLA ^ | 5/14/26 | Rachel Tucker

Posted on 05/15/2026 7:49:05 AM PDT by CFW

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Fourteen people were arrested and millions of dollars in stolen items were recovered from a retail theft scheme after undercover detectives infiltrated the operation, Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced in a news conference Wednesday.

Last week, the sheriff’s office served several search warrants, including one at a home in Lutz, which was identified as the base of the multi-state operation. The home’s garage was packed floor-to-ceiling with stolen items, which were grouped together and arranged like a makeshift store.

Chronister said “customers” would request certain items, and the group behind the scheme would take them from retailers like Home Depot and Lowes, as well as from construction sites. The group also used fake invoices and returns in order to further the scheme.

Detectives found over 1,800 online sales connected to the operation in the last year, netting $7 million in proceeds.

[snip]

HCSO identified Hoover Rengifo, 55, as the leader of the operation, which included family members and other individuals. Those involved were charged with racketeering, trafficking in stolen property, money laundering, and grand theft.

(Excerpt) Read more at wfla.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: crime; democrats; illegalaliens; theft

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Thank you very much and God bless you.

Deport, deport, deport.

Democrats opened the borders and invited the criminal element in to steal from both government agencies and private businesses.

All of this was deliberate. What a plan! But why? Just to sit back and enjoy the destruction of our nation? To line their own pockets? I wish someone from the Biden administration would sit for an interview and tell the truth.

1 posted on 05/15/2026 7:49:05 AM PDT by CFW
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To: CFW

Here’s some of that wonderful diversity.


2 posted on 05/15/2026 8:04:20 AM PDT by Beowulf9
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To: CFW
Take your pick on which hombre is Hoover.

I suspect top left.

3 posted on 05/15/2026 8:09:01 AM PDT by Cletus.D.Yokel (The Democrats' official policy is now, “Hate, Violence and Murder". Change my mind.)
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To: CFW
Name and shame them. Show their photos everywhere.

Although I doubt criminals like this have any shame.

Operation-D-Fence-Org-Chart

Glad this was in Florida and not "no cash bail" California.

Also deport them. NOW.

4 posted on 05/15/2026 8:16:11 AM PDT by Bon of Babble (You Say You Want a Revolution?)
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To: Bon of Babble

An “American” family business....


5 posted on 05/15/2026 8:31:58 AM PDT by TheDon (Remember the J6 political prisoners! Remember Ashli Babbitt!)
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To: Cletus.D.Yokel

Trump should issue an Executive Order requiring mugshots include the date these illegals entered the USA.

I want to know if these criminals are Biden’s Newcomers.


6 posted on 05/15/2026 9:11:17 AM PDT by Presbyterian Reporter
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To: CFW

“HCSO identified Hoover Rengifo, 55, as the leader of the operation, which included family members and other individuals. Those involved were charged with racketeering, trafficking in stolen property, money laundering, and grand theft.” Interesting name in an interesting story.


7 posted on 05/15/2026 9:13:55 AM PDT by kawhill (Dywedwch Wrthbym because + Add translation Welsh-English dictionary 'Tell Us')
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To: kawhill

Another fraudster convicted in Florida this week. Does someone want to remind me why we pay taxes?


“Kansas man found guilty in $1 billion healthcare fraud scheme”

https://www.ksn.com/news/crime/kansas-man-convicted-medicare-fraud/

” A federal jury seated in Florida has convicted a Kansas man in connection with a billion-dollar healthcare fraud scheme.

Brett Blackman, 42, of Johnson County found guilty Wednesday of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and wire fraud, conspiracy to pay and receive health care kickbacks, and conspiracy to defraud the United States and to making false statements in connection with health care matters.

The Justice Department said Blackman owned and controlled HealthSplash, which acquired internet-based Power Mobility Doctor Rx LLC (DMERx) in September 2017. Blackman and his co-conspirators used the company to generate false and fraudulent doctors’ orders for durable medical equipment and prescriptions for other items, according to prosecutors.”


8 posted on 05/15/2026 9:26:48 AM PDT by CFW
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To: Bon of Babble

Also no free gender reassignment sugery in the Florida prison system


9 posted on 05/15/2026 9:39:22 AM PDT by shotgun
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To: CFW

“Detectives found over 1,800 online sales connected to the operation in the last year, netting $7 million in proceeds.”

¿Donde $7 million?


10 posted on 05/15/2026 11:11:09 AM PDT by Brian Griffin (Ask your Congressman to tax tariff refunds at 100% & > ~$400 to each insured vehicle owner 4 gas)
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To: CFW

Home Deport. Get these Lowe lifes out of our home


11 posted on 05/15/2026 12:12:25 PM PDT by PGalt (Past Peak Civilization? )
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To: Bon of Babble

If only there was some common element among all the perps.


12 posted on 05/15/2026 3:46:45 PM PDT by Mr. Blond
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