1 man stole $37K worth of merchandise from Valley stores

PHOENIX — A man is facing criminal charges connected to $37,000 worth of retail theft in the Valley, according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said Hector Manuel Romero, 30, has been indicted on dozens of counts related to theft at local stores.

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Mitchell said his charges include 44 counts of organized retail theft, a class four felony, and two counts of shoplifting, a class one misdemeanor.

Stores that included Target, Ulta Beauty, Lowe’s and Home Depot, were targeted by Romero between November 2023 and September 2024, according to Mitchell.

“Despite being stopped by loss prevention officers on two occasions, the defendant continued his theft spree,” Mitchell said.

Romero was arrested on Sept. 21, Mitchell said.

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