Two men have been charged with running an organized retail theft ring targeting Lowe’s Home Improvement stores in eastern Pennsylvania that resulted in nearly $100,000 in loss, according to the state Office of Attorney General.
Jose Gomez and Ysaias Arajuo, no ages or addresses given, are accused of targeting home-improvement stores in Luzerne, Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Pike counties.
Prosecutors said the pair used information stolen from Lowe’s customer accounts to steal $99,689 in merchandise. As part of the scheme, the men used self-checkout kiosks to make purchases using cellphones that were linked to stolen customer accounts, prosecutors said.
Customers disputed the charges and their banks declined to pay Lowe’s, sticking the company with the cost of the theft.
“These defendants orchestrated a sophisticated scheme that targeted unsuspecting customers as well as Lowe’s businesses across numerous counties,” Attorney General Dave Sunday said in a statement. “Organized retail theft impacts consumers who will be forced to pay higher prices for goods as businesses raise prices to recover losses.”
Both men are charged with felony counts of corrupt organizations, organized retail theft, theft by unlawful taking and related offenses.
Prosecutors said Gomez has been arrested and that Arajuo has a warrant out for his arrest.
Originally Published: October 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM EDT