Commissioner Wilton Simpson Announces Arrests in Multi-State Organized Retail Theft Investigation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Today, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson announced the arrests of two foreign nationals involved in an organized retail theft ring responsible for more than $1 million in losses to Home Depot stores across the United States.

"Florida will not tolerate organized retail theft or any criminal activity that threatens our businesses, our consumers, or our economy," said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. "Thanks to the outstanding work of our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement and the cooperation of our local, state, and federal partners, these criminals have been stopped and will be held accountable."

The investigation, led by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement (OALE), began after Home Depot Loss Prevention referred the case to OALE on October 3, 2025. The referral identified a pattern of thefts committed by Lithuanian nationals operating in multiple states.

According to investigators, the suspects traveled from city to city, targeting multiple Home Depot locations over short periods of time. They would purchase high-value battery-powered power tools with foreign Visa debit cards, remove the lithium batteries to render the tools unsellable, and then return the items at other store locations for full refunds.

The group's criminal activity in Florida occurred between September 29 and 30, 2025, in Escambia and Okaloosa Counties, resulting in losses exceeding $3,500.

Following a thorough investigation led by OALE Special Agents - with assistance from the Department of Homeland Security - the suspects were identified as Mantas Bulicas and Eimantas Bagdonas, both citizens of Lithuania. Arrest warrants were issued on November 3, 2025, for one count each of Organized Retail Theft, a second-degree felony under Florida Statute § 812.015(9)(b).

Using advanced investigative tools, OALE Special Agents located the suspects in Englewood, Colorado. Working with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office, authorities apprehended both individuals without incident on November 5, 2025. The suspects are awaiting extradition to Escambia County, Florida, where they will face prosecution by the State Attorney's Office for the First Judicial Circuit.

Subsequent investigations revealed the suspects committed similar offenses in at least nine other states, including Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California, Utah, and Colorado. Home Depot estimates total losses nationwide at over $1 million.

FDACS extends its gratitude to the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office in Colorado and the St. George Police Department in Utah for their critical assistance in this investigation.

For more information about Commissioner Simpson and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit FDACS.gov.

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