Two Florida career petty thieves were arrested for Home Depot theft after they attempted to walk out with stolen merchandise.
According to law enforcement, deputies responded to Home Depot in Palm Coast for a larceny in progress. Home Depot’s asset protection witnessed 51-year-old Moises Ocasio and 41-year-old Nichole Hardy, both of Palm Coast, stuffing tools into Hardy’s large purse. They then used the self-checkout to purchase sandpaper; however, they did not purchase any of the items in the purse and left the sandpaper at the self-checkout counter.
Deputies and asset protection stopped them just after they walked out the door. Inside the purse, deputies located a Ryobi jigsaw, Ryobi multitool, and Diablo jigsaw blades. Deputies also located two meth pipes in Ocasio’s pocket.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Hardy and Ocasio both have extensive criminal histories. Ocasio has 16 prior theft-related charges. Hardy has prior convictions for thefts in Duval County and Volusia County.
“These two just can’t stop trying to get five finger discounts,” said Sheriff Rick Staly. “With almost two dozen combined previous arrests, you would think they would have learned they have to pay for their tools just like anyone else that isn’t a thief that is!”
Deputies arrested Hardy for petit theft and Ocasio for shoplifting after prior conviction and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also arrested on a warrant related to another theft in which he stole a slushie machine from Olie’s. Both were taken to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where Hardy was later released on $2,500 bond, and Ocasio was held on $5,000 bond.
