At a press conference on August 26, Ventura County District Attorney Eric Nasarenko and Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced the filing of charges against nine defendants involved in more than 600 thefts at over 70 Home Depot stores in Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The home improvement chain suffered losses exceeding $10 million in merchandise, making it the largest retail theft in the company’s history.
“This case demonstrates the scale, scope, and sophistication of organized retail theft,” Nasarenko said. “This wasn’t shoplifting; it was a criminal enterprise that allegedly stole millions, and it was finally stopped here in Ventura County,” he added.
The alleged ringleader, David Ahl of Woodland Hills, has been charged with directing theft crews to steal high-end electrical products such as dimmer switches, circuit breakers, and electrical outlets. He then resold them through his business, Arya Wholesale, located in Tarzana. Ahl currently faces 45 felony counts, including conspiracy, receiving stolen property, organized retail theft, grand theft, and money laundering. He remains in custody with bail set at $500,000.
Other conspirators charged include Ahl’s brother-in-law, Omid Abrishamkar of Calabasas, who faces 11 felony counts, including conspiracy, receiving stolen property, and money laundering, along with charges related to reselling stolen merchandise online. Also charged are Ahl’s ex-wife, Lorena Solis of Downey, and her partner, Enrique Neira Moreno, also of Downey. Both face eight felony counts of conspiracy related to reselling stolen goods in the Los Angeles area. All three remain in custody with bail set at $500,000…