A $50,000 arrest warrant has been issued for a Tacoma man accused of stealing items from the Home Depot in Chehalis and attempting to return them.
Ronald Johnson allegedly took an impact wrench, a shower rack and LED track lights from the shelves before going to the customer service counter and returning the items for an $819 credit on March 7, according to court documents. Johnson reportedly left in a silver Mitsubishi that officers later learned had been stolen. A Chehalis police officer initiated a traffic stop on the Mitsubishi and arrested Johnson, who reportedly said the car had been loaned to him by a friend.
Home Depot management reportedly recognized Johnson from surveillance video at the Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater stores, according to court documents. A manager informed law enforcement that “Mr. Johnson is known throughout the region for organized theft, and that he is trespassed from Home Depot.”
Johnson was released before his preliminary hearing and was issued a summons to appear in court for an April 13 hearing, but he did not appear.
