Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has announced that Juan Ambriz-Rincon has been sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for his involvement in Organized Retail Theft. In addition to his prison sentence, Ambriz-Rincon is required to pay restitution amounting to $300,000.
“Rather than being gainfully employed, this criminal made it his full-time job to steal over $1M from retail stores and then re-sell the stolen merchandise,” said County Attorney Rachel Mitchell. “This significant restitution combined with the prison sentence lets offenders know Maricopa County is not the place where you can get away with this type of crime.”
In April, Ambriz-Rincon pleaded guilty to five felony counts, including organized retail theft, trafficking in stolen property, and possession of dangerous drugs. Despite the crimes spanning several states, the victim company requested the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) to prosecute due to their expertise in handling organized retail theft cases.
“The Home Depot continues to feel the pressure of organized retail crime across the country. The work of Rachel Mitchell and her team is instrumental in ensuring we can reverse this growing trend in Maricopa County,” said Sean Browne, senior manager of Organized Retail Crime at The Home Depot.
The MCAO’s successful prosecution underscores their commitment to combating organized retail crime and protecting businesses from significant financial losses. The case of Juan Ambriz-Rincon serves as a strong message to others engaging in similar criminal activities that Maricopa County is vigilant and ready to enforce the law rigorously.
As Ambriz-Rincon begins his prison sentence, the restitution payment will help mitigate some of the financial damages incurred by the affected businesses. This case highlights the importance of cross-jurisdictional cooperation and the expertise required to tackle sophisticated retail theft operations effectively.
