SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A man accused of traveling the country and stealing products from home improvement stores before returning them for money was arrested in Utah on Tuesday, November 5.

Manuel Gonzalez, 52, was booked into the Salt Lake County Metropolitan Jail and faces a second-degree felony count of retail theft, theft and pattern of unlawful activity.

According to court documents, Gonzalez would go to home improvement stores and pick out a boxed item, such as a bathroom vanity. He would then allegedly fill the box with electrical breakers and pay, hiding the breakers and paying only for the bathroom vanity. Police say Gonzalez would return to the store with the boxed item for a full refund.

The Utah Attorney General’s Office said Gonzalez would do this from state to state. According to court documents, Gonzalez targeted dozens of stores in Utah, from Layton to St. George, defrauding stores of more than $82,000.

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“Mass shoplifting rings were costing retailers and consumers tens of billions a year,” said Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, later adding: “I am very proud of our (Crimes Against Crimes) investigative team. state economy) led by Supervisory Special Agent James Russell. “This latest arrest of Manuel Gonzalez, who traveled from state to state to steal significant volumes of home construction products at multiple locations, is a victory for Utah and surrounding states.”

Police said Gonzalez was found with several hundred home improvement products, including circuit breakers, plugs, tools and carbon monoxide detectors. González allegedly admitted to stealing the products and selling them on the streets.

The charges are just accusations. All persons arrested are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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