Sacramento County detectives arrested Anthony Vargas in an organized retail theft scheme tied to 50 thefts and pawn-shop resales across the region.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Organized Retail Crime detectives have arrested a man accused of committing dozens of retail thefts at home improvement stores across the region and reselling stolen goods through local pawn shops.
Investigators say that between December 2025 and April 2026, a suspect targeted multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s locations in Sacramento County and neighboring areas.
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Authorities have linked around 50 theft incidents to the same individual, with reported losses exceeding $20,000.
Detectives determined the suspect primarily stole high-value power tools, which were allegedly resold for cash at several pawn shops, including North City Pawn, Action Loan & Pawn, and Gold-n-Pawn.
Surveillance footage and search warrant results indicated the suspect repeatedly sold new, boxed merchandise shortly after thefts occurred.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, investigators identified the suspect as 35-year-old Anthony Vargas.
Authorities say surveillance footage showed a pattern of repeated thefts followed by quick resales at multiple pawn shops.
Search warrants executed at pawn shops led to the recovery of more than $10,000 in stolen property. Investigators also said the scope of the thefts may extend beyond the confirmed cases.
Vargas was initially arrested on charges including grand theft (PC 487) and organized retail theft (PC 490.4), with bail set at $100,000. He was later released on his own recognizance under court-ordered conditions requiring him to stay away from Home Depot and Lowe’s stores in Sacramento County.
Authorities say that within hours of his release on April 15, Vargas allegedly stole a $650 DeWalt table saw from another Home Depot and sold it to a different pawn shop. Detectives later located him in South Sacramento and arrested him again, recovering the stolen item.
Following the second arrest, a judge increased bail to $250,000. Vargas was also booked on additional charges, including driving on a suspended license, and his vehicle was impounded.
The Sheriff’s Office says Vargas has a prior criminal history that includes theft, firearms offenses, possession of a firearm by a felon, narcotics violations, and DUI.
The investigation remains ongoing, and detectives believe additional pawn shops may be involved. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115.
