Sacramento County Sheriff Retail Theft Detectives Bust Pawn Shop Scheme

by StaffReport2 - Press Release , April 22, 2026

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, CA — “Between December 2025 and April 2026, a suspect targeted multiple Home Depot and Lowe’s stores across Sacramento County and neighboring counties. Detectives have linked approximately 50 thefts to the same suspect, with losses exceeding $20,000.

Detectives with the Organized Retail Crime Unit learned the suspect primarily stole high-value power tools and immediately sold them to local pawn shops, including North City Pawn, Action Loan & Pawn, and Gold-n-Pawn, for cash.

Through surveillance, search warrants, and follow-up investigation, detectives identified the suspect as 35-year-old Anthony Vargas. Investigators determined Vargas made it a daily routine to steal in the morning, then rotate pawn shops selling brand new items in the box, with little to no questions asked.

Surveillance showed pawn shop employees reviewing repeated, identical items from Vargas’s truck before purchase. Search warrants at pawn shops recovered over $10,000 in stolen merchandise and indicated the scope of thefts may be greater than initially known.

Vargas was arrested for multiple counts of PC 487 (Grand Theft) and PC 490.4 (Organized Retail Theft), with bail set at $100,000. On April 15, 2026, he was released on his own recognizance with pre-trial probation, ordered to stay away from all Home Depot and Lowe’s locations in Sacramento County.

Within hours of release, Vargas stole a $650 DeWalt table saw from another Home Depot and sold it to a different pawn shop. Detectives quickly located him in South Sacramento, arrested him again, and recovered the stolen item.

A judge has now approved a $250,000 bail enhancement. Vargas was also booked for driving on a suspended license and his truck was impounded. His criminal history includes theft, firearms offenses, being a felon in possession of a firearm, narcotics, and DUI.

The investigation remains ongoing. Detectives believe additional pawn shops may be involved. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115.”