TRUMBULL — Seven former Home Depot employees were in the process Thursday of being served warrants for larceny, for a series of robberies that police say were approved by a supervisor.
Police said the employees at the chain’s Trumbull store on Route 111 would go on after-hours “shopping sprees” three times a week between June and October 2015.
Starting in October of 2015, Home Depot loss prevention agents began reviewing CCTV video that showed seven employees loading merchandise onto carts and pushing the carts to the garden area, where they then loaded the merchandise into vehicles.
This activity occurred up to three times a week over several months and would take place in the early morning hours, normally between 12:30-2:30 a.m.
The supervisor told police he allowed the thefts in exchange for a loan. He is seen on video opening the rolling door to the garden center to allow the employees to exit the store with power tools, doors and other items.
Police said as much as $300,000 in merchandise was stolen.
One of the employees later posted some of it for sale on Facebook and others brought it to pawn shops.
Five suspects have since been arrested:
On Sunday, April 10, Jerel Santamaria, 21, of Monroe, was arrested for and sixth-degree larceny with a 5,000 bond.
On Monday, April 11, Santiago Gonzalez, 22, of Bridgeport, was arrested for second-degree conspiracy to commit larceny and third-degree larceny with a 5,000 bond.
On Wednesday, April 13, Jonathan Stunzi, 20, of Trumbull, was arrested for second-degree conspiracy to commit larceny. He was released on a promise to appear.
On Monday, April 18, Gregory Alston, 29 of Stamford, was arrested for second-degree conspiracy to commit larceny and he was released on a promise to appear.
On Wednesday, April 20, Romie Saunders, 24, of Bridgeport was arrested for second-degree conspiracy to commit larceny and third-degree larceny with a 5,000 bond.
Police said other arrests are pending.
