Three charged in Lubbock organized retail theft ring - KCBD

Probable cause affidavits name Rebecca James, her grandson Mason Barron, and Ernesto Franco in the case. Detectives say an undercover officer sold James and Barron thousands of dollars in stolen DeWalt and Milwaukee tools at the Canton Avenue address. At one point, James and Barron allegedly asked the officer to steal specific items for them, which takes this well past someone buying a suspicious deal at a garage sale.

The stolen goods included brand-new tools and lawn equipment taken from Home Depot, allegedly purchased with the plan to flip them at the flea market booth for a profit. Franco is also charged with organized retail theft in connection with the scheme.

For shoppers and small vendors who use that flea market legitimately, this is a reminder of how theft rings can quietly undercut honest sellers while driving up prices at targeted stores. Home Depot absorbs losses from theft by raising prices across the board, meaning everyday customers end up covering the tab.

Organized retail theft in Texas carries serious felony exposure depending on the total value of merchandise involved.