Florida and Hillsborough County authorities say they broke up a massive retail theft ring that spanned several states.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister joined Attorney General James Uthmeier at a news conference to announce that 14 people have been arrested. They are accused of being part of a ring that targeted hardware goods and equipment and stretched as far north as Indiana.

Chronister said an undercover investigation found an extensive network.

“I’ve never seen a theft or criminal enterprise to this magnitude,” Chronister said.

Undercover operatives for the Sheriff’s Office infiltrated the ring, which investigators say began in 2023. Chronister said in the past year, they found that ring members were stealing equipment, goods and tools from hardware stores such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, as well as from construction sites.

Investigators say the stolen goods were transported to a home in Lutz that had been converted into a makeshift hardware store, and items were marketed on the internet. The operation spanned several Florida counties and as far as Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, per authorities. The stolen items were usually being sold at a fraction of the retail price, according to investigators.

Chronister said U.S. Homeland Security officials helped round up the suspects. The criminal ring is accused of stealing from 33 stores and three construction sites, poaching 219 items just during the undercover operation in recent months.

Officials say the criminal operation profited $12 million in three years of operating.

Uthmeier said there are dozens of charges that his Special Prosecution Unit will handle. The suspects are facing Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) charges, along with conspiracy to commit RICO, organized retail theft and money laundering, and other charges.

“The conclusion of this operation is a great victory for justice. It’s a great victory for our retail partners,” Uthmeier said, adding that the Retail Theft Task Force he launched last year was involved in the case.

Chronister said additional charges could be coming and it’s possible the total dollar amount profited could rise.

Chronister said his investigators executed search and arrest warrants on May 4. He added that while investigators were taking inventory of the stolen goods at the home in Lutz, several people expecting to purchase items showed up at the location unaware that Sheriff’s officials were shutting down the operation.

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