Multi-state retail theft ring faces racketeering charges in Georgia

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - In a press release, Attorney General Chris Carr has announced his Organized Retail Crime Unit has obtained indictments against eight individuals in DeKalb County for alleged thefts targeting major retailers including The Home Depot, Target, Walmart, and Lowe’s.

The defendants are charged in two separate indictments and face multiple counts of theft and racketeering.

“The rule of law means something in Georgia, and we refuse to sit back and watch our retailers struggle due to rampant crime and theft,” Carr said. “This is a major public safety issue and a real threat to our continued economic growth, with businesses losing $3 billion to retail theft each year.”

First indictment targets multi-state operation

The first indictment charges Johntae L. Hutchinson, 38, of Indiana; Apree Zatashai Williams, 33, of Indiana; and Thalamus Rasu Elzy Jr., 29, of Wisconsin, with routinely stealing from The Home Depot and Target locations in Georgia and Tennessee.

The defendants allegedly stole power tools, yard equipment, batteries, Legos, electronics, and clothing.

Hutchinson and Williams each face two counts of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act and four counts of theft by shoplifting. Elzy faces two RICO counts and two theft by shoplifting counts.

Second indictment involves Georgia residents

The second indictment charges five Georgia residents with stealing from The Home Depot, Walmart, Lowe’s, and Target locations throughout the state.

The defendants allegedly stole Legos, printer ink cartridges, personal care products, household cleaning products, tools, and lighting fixtures. They also allegedly placed low-price product codes on higher-priced merchandise to deprive retailers of full value.

Those charged include Hailey Vanessa Renteria, 18, of Lilburn; Jibril Chillion Wyckoff, 26, of Stone Mountain; Yannick Giovanni Gordon, 25, of Snellville; Andrew Flores-Ciru, 22, of Lilburn; and Jalen Mical Carter, 29, of Loganville.

Each defendant faces two RICO counts, with Renteria and Wyckoff also facing two theft by shoplifting counts and the remaining three facing one theft by shoplifting count each.

Statewide retail crime unit

Carr created Georgia’s first statewide Organized Retail Crime Unit in 2024 with support from Governor Brian Kemp and the General Assembly.

Georgia businesses are estimated to lose over $3 billion to retail theft annually, including $1.6 billion in stolen goods and $326 million in lost tax revenue, along with 17,000 lost jobs.

A DeKalb County Grand Jury returned both indictments on Dec. 17, 2025, following evidence presented by the Attorney General’s Organized Retail Crime Unit.