That on April 3, 2026, an officer with the Coon Rapids Police Department was dispatched to a delayed theft phone call. An officer made contact with a complaining witness, who advised that an individual was fraudulently returning merchandise at various Home Depots, and receiving cash in return. Law enforcement began an investigation. During the investigation, law enforcement learned that on or about March 2, 2026, at approximately 5:10 P.M., two males entered Home Depot, located at 3550 124th Avenue Northwest, Coon Rapids, Anoka County, Minnesota.
One of the males was subsequently identified as JAKE JOSEPH THIES (D. O. B. 09/09/1984), herein after Defendant. As captured on surveillance footage, Defendant and the other unknown male proceeded to purchase 20 cases of LifeProof 22MIL Pinecrest PL 8.7 x 48 flooring at the self-checkout. The total purchase amount was $1,322.40, which was paid for with cash. A receipt was issued for the purchase. Later on March 2, 2026, at approximately 8:39 P.M., Defendant entered Home Depot, located at 401 2nd Street S, Waite Park, Minnesota.
Surveillance footage captured Defendant enter the store without merchandise. Defendant proceeded to the flooring section and selected four cases of the aforementioned LifeProof flooring. Then, Defendant proceeded to the customer service desk, where he returned the four previously-selected boxes of flooring. Defendant produced the receipt from March 2, 2026, 5:10 P.M. Purchase to facilitate the return. Defendant received $285.96 from Home Depot for the fraudulent return. The next day, on March 3, 2026, at approximately 3:06 P.M., Defendant entered Home Depot, located at [address omitted] North, Maple Grove, Minnesota.
Surveillance footage captured Defendant enter the store without merchandise. Defendant then proceeded to the flooring section and selected four cases of the same LifeProof flooring. Following this, Defendant proceeded to the customer service desk, where he returned the four previously-selected boxes of flooring. Defendant produced the receipt from the March 2, 2026 5:10 P.M. Purchase to facilitate the return. Defendant received $285.96 from Home Depot for the fraudulent return. Additionally, law enforcement learned that on March 3, 2026, at approximately 5:36 P.M., Defendant entered Home Depot, located at [address omitted] NE, Fridley, Minnesota.
Surveillance footage captured Defendant enter the store without merchandise. Defendant then proceeded to the flooring section and selected four cases of the same LifeProof flooring. Following this, Defendant proceeded to the customer service desk, where he returned the four previously-selected boxes of flooring. Defendant produced the receipt from the March 2, 2026, 5:10 P.M. Purchase to facilitate the return. Defendant received $285.96 from Home Depot for the fraudulent return. Law enforcement discovered that on March 3, 2026, at approximately 7:44 P.M., Defendant entered Home Depot, located at 3550 124th Ave NW, Coon Rapids, Minnesota.
