Home Depot had an employee following the suspect vehicle from Florida westbound on M-32 until it reached the area of Indian Reserve Rd. The employee discontinued. Officer's from the Alpena County Sheriff's Office and Michigan State Police searched the area. A Sergeant with the Alpena County Sheriff's Office located the vehicle on M-32 near Jacks Landing Rd in Green Twp.
Multiple power tools were identified on the traffic stop belonging to The Home Depot. The driver and passenger were both arrested. During a search of the vehicle, officers located a total of $34,960 in power tools stolen from six different Home Depot locations in Michigan as well as $2,200 in merchandise stolen from T J Maxx in Saginaw, Ml.
Both men are from Florida and are lodged at the Alpena County Sheriff's Office pending formal charges from the Alpena County Prosecutor's Office for Retail Fraud 1st Degree and Receiving and Concealing Stolen Property over $20,000.
The Alpena County Sheriff's Office was assisted by the U.S Border Patrol in identifying the subjects and assisted on scene by the Michigan State Police.