Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Takedown of Multi-Million Dollar Retail Theft Enterprise, 14 Arrests
Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of 14 individuals for their roles in a multi-county criminal enterprise that dealt in and trafficked stolen retail and construction materials.
“Our Organized Retail Task Force brings law enforcement agencies together to get the maximum punishment for these criminal enterprises,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Enterprises like this take millions of dollars in products off the shelves, and consumers foot the bill as retailers try to recover the costs. Thanks to interagency collaboration, we dismantled this crime ring from the top down, and we will hold them accountable.”
“This operation exposed a highly organized criminal enterprise that stretched far beyond county and state lines," said Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Through strong partnerships and relentless investigative work, we were able to dismantle a network responsible for millions of dollars in stolen merchandise and illegal profits. Organized retail theft impacts businesses, consumers, and entire communities, and we remain committed to holding those responsible fully accountable.”
"We are grateful to Attorney General James Uthmeier, Sheriff Chronister and every agency involved for their dedication to holding these criminals accountable and keeping Florida's retail community safe,” said R. Scott Shalley, President/CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “Organized retail theft costs Florida businesses and consumers millions of dollars each year, and operations like this one demonstrate that there are real consequences for those who choose to exploit our community. This is exactly the kind of interagency collaboration the Organized Retail Task Force was built for, and we will continue standing alongside law enforcement to protect Florida's businesses, workers and consumers."
In November 2025, law enforcement officers assigned to the Organized Retail Theft Task Force became aware of a criminal enterprise based out of the Rengifo family residence in Lutz.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office took the lead on an undercover operation, conducting multiple buys. Investigators witnessed items, including power tools, electrical supplies, plumbing equipment, air conditioning components, paint, and other retail and construction materials, displayed in a retail distribution manner.
This criminal ring targeted The Home Depot locations and construction sites, stealing retail and construction materials and delivering them in bulk to the Rengifo residence, where the Rengifo family was receiving, storing, and reselling them at prices substantially below the known fair market value.
A financial investigation revealed that multiple bank accounts associated with the defendants were utilized to process proceeds derived from trafficking stolen property. Subpoenaed bank records show that the defendants managed over $7.6 million in gross transactional activity across the accounts between January 2025 and February 2026. The funds were utilized to purchase items, including luxury vehicles, jewelry, and extensive international travel.
Thefts associated with this criminal operation took place across multiple counties and judicial circuits.]
This investigation was a collaborative effort between the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Attorney General’s Retail Theft Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations Tampa, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The defendants are charged as follows:
- Hoover Rengifo, 55
- Racketeering
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Money Laundering
- Trafficking in Stolen Property x7
- Communications Fraud
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Marribell Rengifo, 50
- Racketeering
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Money Laundering
- Trafficking in Stolen Property x7
- Communications Fraud
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Sebastian Rengifo, 21
- Racketeering
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Money Laundering
- Trafficking in Stolen Property x7
- Communications Fraud
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Alejandro Rengifo, 23
- Racketeering
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Money Laundering
- Trafficking in Stolen Property x7
- Communications Fraud
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Juan Pablo Montoya, 25
- Racketeering
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Trafficking in Stolen Property x7
- Luis Migue Mojena Carrillo, 35
- Racketeering
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Money Laundering
- Trafficking in Stolen Property x4
- Grand Theft x5
- Communications Fraud
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device
- Enrique Rodriguez Boza, 39
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Organized Retail Theft
- Trafficking in Stolen Property
- Juan Calderon Gonzalez, 22
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Organized Retail Theft
- Trafficking in Stolen Property
- Damian Gonzalez Pardo Venta, 41
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Organized Retail Theft
- Trafficking in Stolen Property
- Francisco Zapata Almeida, 37
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Grand Theft x4
- Trespass on Construction Site x4
- Trafficking in Stolen Property
- Yuandy Arturo Fiallo Blanco, 46
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Organized Retail Theft
- Trafficking in Stolen Property
- Yudiel Santos Santo Domingo, 42
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Trafficking in Stolen Property x3
- Marte Vasquez Cristian, 31
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Organized Retail Theft
- Trafficking in Stolen Property
- Gabino Gonzalez Jr., 21
- Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering
- Organized Retail Theft
- Trafficking in Stolen Property
This investigation was led by Sergeant Rich Morales and Detective Hector Rodriguez Sosa of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Special Counsel Stephanie Bergen and Assistant Statewide Prosecutors Eric Ross and Brianna Zupko in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida.
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