In some surprising news out of Wayne County, a local man has been accused of selling stolen equipment, which he allegedly took from several Home Depot branches, including one in Farmington Hills.
Jonathan Allen, a 33-year-old resident of Ecorse, was recently brought in front of a magistrate on four felony charges. These afflictions are related to Allen allegedly stealing, and then selling, Home Depot rental equipment. He is now confronted with one count of Conducting a Criminal Enterprise, which amounts to a whopping 20-year felony, in addition to three separate counts of False Pretenses — $20,000 or more but less than $50,000.
An authority’s email stated that they believe Allen sold a series of heavy equipment, such as a backhoe, excavator and lift, to a man from Harrison in June and July. Contrary to the truth, Allen advertised this equipment on Facebook Marketplace claiming it to belong to a recently deceased relative of his.
A deeper investigation led to the discovery that the heavy equipment in question was actually rented from Home Depot locations in Taylor, Utica and Farmington Hills, but was unfortunately never returned. The estimated worth of the machinery, which Allen sold for $23,000, is over $70,000. Thankfully, all the stolen equipment has been recovered since then.
On a larger scale, this charade has not only taken a toll on the individual who was deceived into handing down his thousands of dollars, but it also interrupted the day-to-day operations at the several Home Depot sites. Plus, local customers who frequently rely on these tools for their own projects were affected as well.
The legal team is focused on holding accountable those who perpetrate such organized retail crimes. Allen’s next appearance in the courtroom is set for Aug. 19. With every passing moment, more and more residents of Wayne County are looking on, hoping for a swift and just resolution to this unsettling incident.
Author: STAFF HERE NORTHVILLE WRITER
The NORTHVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENorthville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Northville, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Summer Concert Series, Tunes on Tuesday, and the Northville Farmers Market. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Northville Chamber of Commerce and Northville Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, software, and retail that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Reliable Software, and Attendance on Demand. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
