Jonathan Allen, 33, of Ecorse, was arraigned Aug. 6 before Magistrate Steven R. Worpell in 80th District Court in the mid-Michigan town of Harrison on four felony charges for allegedly stealing and subsequently selling Home Depot rental equipment, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in an email.
He was charged with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, a 20-year felony, and three counts of False Pretenses — $20,000 or more but less than $50,000.
The Attorney General’s office alleges Allen sold multiple pieces of heavy equipment, including a backhoe, excavator and lift, to a Harrison man in June and July of 2023. The equipment was allegedly advertised on Facebook Marketplace and explained as belonging to a recently deceased relative of Allen’s. The department alleges that the heavy equipment was rented from Home Depot locations in Taylor, Utica and Farmington Hills and never returned. The estimated value of the alleged stolen machinery, which Allen sold for $23,000, exceeds $70,000. All of the stolen equipment has been recovered.
“This scheme not only victimized the individual who was conned out of thousands of dollars but also disrupted business operations at several Home Depot locations and impacted countless customers who rely on these tools for their projects,” Nessel wrote. “My FORCE Team is committed to holding accountable those who commit organized retail crimes.”
Allen will next appear in the 80th District Court Aug. 19.