Bronx Plant Thieves Nabbed at New Rochelle Home Depot

Written By: Robert Cox

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — New Rochelle Police were flagged down by a citizen on July 30th. The person stated they saw two men throwing items over a fence at Home Depot at 55 Weyman Avenue in New Rochelle, NY. The citizen described one of the males.

Police found Hector Rivera loading plants into his vehicle by the gardening department side of the Home Depot. When asked if he had a receipt for the plants, Rivera stated he did not have a receipt.

Sitting inside the vehicle was Richie Carlos Rodriguez. He told police he was not involved, that Rivera was going to buy some items, but did not and started loading the vehicle with plants. The vehicle was full of plants in the back seat.

The store manager identified the plants and assorted tools as Home Depot items, all the in the vehicle still had tags. The total value of all items was $1903.96. The store manager stated she wished to press charges against both Rivera and Rodriguez.

Hector Rivera, 58, of the Bronx, NY was arrested and charged with one count of Grand Larceny 4th (Value Greater than $1,000), a Class E Felony and one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (Value Greater than $1,000), a Class E Felony.

Richie Rodriguez, 26, of the Bronx, NY was arrested and charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th (Value Greater than $1,000), a Class E Felony.