A group of five thieves are accused of fraudulently renting heavy equipment from Lowe’s and then selling the merchandise via social media, the Morrisville Police Department said Thursday in a news release.
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Lowe’s Corporate Security notified police on Nov. 10 about the fraudulent activity that occurred at the Mooresville store and throughout the area.
Investigators learned that the group would place advertisements for the sale of heavy equipment on social media. The victims will respond and agree to the deal.
The group then rents the equipment through fraudulent means from Lowe’s to sell to victims.
The investigators set up a deal to catch the criminals.
The group agreed to bring equipment stolen from Salisbury Lowe’s to Mooresville for a deal on Wednesday.
The police arrested them at the agreed meeting place.
Law enforcement arrested Javon Terrell Williams, 30, Anthony Ray Jones, 29, LaTrevion Lee Alston, 30, and Orwester Miles, 30, all of Raleigh, and Marcus Jamil Myatt, 33, of Wake Forest.
With the suspects currently out of custody on pending charges or currently on probation, the five suspects were placed in the Iredell County Detention Center without bail until their initial court appearance, the Mooresville Police Department said.
The stolen piece of equipment valued at $40,000 was returned to Lowe’s.
The investigation is ongoing. Additional fees are expected across other jurisdictions.
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