News Summary

Four men involved in a scheme to steal from over 60 Home Depot stores in Southern California have been sentenced. The Delasancha brothers and their accomplices were responsible for stealing more than $82,000 worth of merchandise. The California Attorney General’s Office emphasized the need for accountability in organized retail theft, highlighting the impact of such crimes on businesses and consumers alike.

California – Four men involved in an organized retail theft ring that targeted Home Depot stores throughout Southern California have been sentenced for their crimes. The group was responsible for stealing merchandise from over 60 Home Depot locations, specifically in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and Ventura counties, between October 2021 and February 2023.

The California Attorney General’s Office has identified the culprits as brothers Jose Delasancha and Luis Delasancha, along with Carillo-Avilez and Garfiaz. Prosecutors revealed that the Delasancha brothers frequently visited the hardware department of Home Depot, utilizing tools to unlock security devices that protected high-value power tools. They would often clear entire shelves, filling shopping carts with stolen goods before leaving the stores without making any purchases. Authorities discovered that the brothers pilfered over $82,000 worth of merchandise over the course of their operation.

After stealing the power tools, the Delasancha brothers sold them to Carillo-Avilez and Garfiaz, who then resold the items online for profit. This systematic approach to theft was part of a broader scheme that led to their arrest, resulting in a 60-count felony complaint filed against all four men.

In a sentencing announcement made on May 22, 2025, it was reported that each of the four defendants received different penalties for their involvement. Jose Delasancha pleaded guilty to four counts of grand theft and was sentenced to eight years in state prison. His brother, Luis Delasancha, also pleaded guilty to four counts of grand theft, receiving a sentence of four years in state prison. Meanwhile, Carillo-Avilez and Garfiaz pleaded guilty to organized retail theft and receiving stolen property, receiving sentences of two years of felony probation.

This case represents a larger effort by law enforcement to combat organized crime in California. The California Attorney General emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for stealing from businesses, reflecting an ongoing commitment to addressing the issue of organized retail theft.

The rise in organized retail theft has garnered increased attention in recent years as these crimes not only impact businesses but also contribute to higher prices for consumers. Retailers have reported significant losses due to theft, prompting many to enhance security measures within their stores. The sentencing of these four individuals marks a significant step in cracking down on organized theft rings that exploit retail stores.

In conclusion, the sentences handed down to the Delasancha brothers, Carillo-Avilez, and Garfiaz underscore the seriousness of organized retail theft and the efforts being made by the California Attorney General’s Office to combat these crimes. With a commitment to reducing theft and ensuring accountability, California continues to address the broader implications of such criminal activities.