ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A massive theft ring targeting Home Depot stores across nine Northeastern states has been busted, according to prosecutors in New York City.

Thirteen people have been charged in “Operation Self Checkout,” Melinda Katz, the district attorney for Queens County, announced Thursday.

Atlanta, where Home Depot is headquartered, was not part of the bust.

The 13 suspects, all members of a Queens-based crew, are accused of conspiring to steal more than $2.2 million in power tools and other items and sell them on the black market.

Investigator identified 319 thefts spanning 128 Home Depot stores in nine Northeastern states: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware and Maryland.

All suspects charged

See Full Page