(FOX40.COM) — A four-month organized retail theft pawn shop scheme was busted by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office.
SCSO said a suspect targeted Home Depot and Lowe’s stores in the Sacramento region between December 2025 and April 2026. Around 50 thefts, with losses over $20,000, were linked to the same suspect.
The investigation determined that the suspect was stealing high-value power tools and then selling them to local pawn shops, including North City Pawn, Action Loan & Pawn and Gold-n-Pawn.
With the use of surveillance and search warrants, the suspect was identified as 35-year-old Anthony Vargas, deputies said.
It was determined that Vargas stole in the morning, then rotated pawn shops, selling brand-new items in the box.
Search warrants were served at pawn shops, where over $10,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered. According to SCSO, it was indicated that the scope of thefts may be greater than initially thought.
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
(IMAGE: Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office)
The sheriff’s office said Vargas was arrested for multiple counts of grand theft and organized retail theft on a $100,000 bail.
Vargas was released on April 15, on his own recognizance with pre-trial probation. He was ordered to stay away from all Home Depot and Lowe’s stores in the county. However, hours after his release, he stole a $650 DeWalt table saw from Home Depot and sold it to a pawn shop, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies said he was quickly found in South Sacramento and arrested again. SCSO was able to recover the stolen item.
Vargas was booked with an additional charge of driving on a suspended license and received a bail enhancement to $250,000. His truck was impounded, according to deputies.
SCSO said his criminal history includes theft, firearms offenses, felon in possession of a firearm, narcotics and DUI.
The investigation is ongoing as investigators believe additional pawn shops may be involved.
Anyone with information is asked to contact SCSO at 916-874-5115.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.