Florida is no stranger to scams as two men were charged with theft and scheme to defraud stemming from their stealing over $47,000 in items from Lowe’s stores. Alexi Baldivia and Randy Rivero hit up the home improvement chain in eight counties before being captured.
Florida Authorities Charge 2 In Lowe’s Stores Thefts and Scam – Duo Stole Over $47K in Items to Flip at Other Stores Across 8 Counties
Their scheme involved purchasing items at one Lowe’s store and taking their itemized receipt to another store. There, they would get the items listed on the receipt and get to checkout claiming to have already purchased the soon-to-be-stolen items and present the itemized receipt from the other store.
With proof that a purchase was made, they were given the items without paying a cent and canceled the first order. In short, they spent nothing and made off with a bunch of home improvement stuff that they could flip or pawn for even more.
Baldivia and Rivero ran this scam in Orange, Sarasota, Seminole, Lee, Columbia, Hillsborough, Collier, and Charlotte counties. In all, 33 fraudulent transactions stemmed from the team hitting Lowe’s stores.
The two were charged with two second-degree felonies for grand theft over $20,000 and scheme to defraud over $20,000.
CHECK IT OUT: Get The Overtimer’s Hottest Stories, Breaking News and Special Features in your email, CLICK HERE!