TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Florida AG) — Attorney General Ashley Moody has announced the successful shutdown of another retail-theft crime ring by the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange Taskforce. The ring was operating in Pinellas County and led by a pastor named Robert Dell. Dell and four of his associates were arrested for operating a multimillion-dollar theft ring that targeted The Home Depot. They stole merchandise worth over $1.4 million from home improvement stores across multiple counties and then sold the items through an eBay account.
The FORCE taskforce, which was launched by Attorney General Moody, aims to combat organized retail theft and prevent the lawlessness seen in major cities like Los Angeles and New York City from taking root in Florida. This case is another successful example of the taskforce’s efforts. Since 2019, Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors have filed more than 90 cases and charged over 300 defendants in cases involving organized retail theft. The Office of Statewide Prosecution boasts a nearly 100% conviction rate for organized retail theft cases.
Attorney General Ashley Moody expressed her satisfaction with the result, stating, “Due to the success of FORCE, another retail theft crime ring has been dismantled, and our Statewide Prosecutors continue to file charges against organized retail thieves. This pastor clearly disregarded the commandment ‘thou shall not steal.’ Our FORCE taskforce shut down his criminal operation, which involved stealing millions of dollars worth of merchandise from Home Depot stores across the state and reselling the items on eBay. We will not tolerate organized retail theft in Florida, and my office will continue to combat these criminal organizations.”
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson has also praised the efforts of law enforcement in making these arrests and ending a years-long crime spree. He highlighted the determination of Florida to pursue justice and stated unequivocally that the state will not tolerate this criminal activity. Commissioner Simpson expressed his appreciation for the investigators and law enforcement personnel who worked tirelessly on this case, as well as their partners at the Office of Statewide Prosecution and The Home Depot. Together, they will continue to make Florida safer and more secure for all residents and visitors.
What makes this case particularly shocking is that Robert Dell is not only a pastor of The Rock Church but also the founder of a halfway house serving individuals recovering from drug addiction in St. Petersburg. The FORCE Taskforce, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, discovered that Dell worked with four accomplices to shoplift merchandise from various Home Depot stores. These thefts took place in Citrus, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Sarasota counties.
Two of Dell’s co-conspirators, Daniel Mace and Jessica Wild, were responsible for stealing the majority of the merchandise. On average, they victimized stores five to six times a day. The stolen merchandise was then delivered to Pastor Dell’s house to be sold under the eBay store name “Anointed Liquidator.” The investigation revealed that Dell coerced his accomplices into committing these crimes through threats of abuse, taking advantage of his positions as a pastor and founder of a halfway house to manipulate vulnerable individuals. Home Depot suspects that Dell had been operating this scheme for over 10 years, resulting in a loss of more than $5 million.
Authorities also identified Jaclyn Dell, Robert Dell’s wife, and Karen Dell, his mother, as conspirators. They were involved in the collection, shipment, and payment of the stolen goods. Jaclyn Dell faces a charge of conspiracy to RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act), while Karen Dell is charged with dealing in stolen property.
As for Pastor Dell, he faces charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, and dealing in stolen property as an organizer. These charges are all felonies, and the Office of Statewide Prosecution will handle the cases.
This case serves as a reminder of the statewide effort by law enforcement agencies and the attorney general’s office to combat organized retail theft. By dismantling criminal operations and holding perpetrators accountable, they send a message that such criminal activities will not be tolerated in Florida. These efforts are vital to maintaining a safe and secure environment for both residents and visitors.
Overall, the successful shutdown of this multimillion-dollar theft ring highlights the effectiveness of the FORCE taskforce and the commitment of law enforcement in Florida to combat organized retail theft. Through their vigilant efforts, the state continues to uphold the principles of justice and protect its residents from criminal organizations.
