FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2024) — A Fort Lauderdale was busted selling heavy equipment he rented from Home Depot.

A man from Fort Lauderdale stands accused of running a sophisticated scam involving the fraudulent sale of rented heavy machinery to unsuspecting individuals. This unlawful operation was uncovered through a joint investigation conducted by the Broward Sheriff’s Office Burglary Apprehension Team (B.A.T.), BSO’s Central Broward Crime Suppression Team and other law enforcement agencies.

Detectives revealed that Jereome Downing and his associates engaged in renting equipment from various Home Depot outlets across Florida using fake identities, only to later sell these rented items on an online platform. The fraudulent activities affected Home Depot stores in Oakland Park, West Park and other areas within Broward County. Collaborating with the Florida Office of Statewide Prosecution, law enforcement determined that this scheme led to losses exceeding $460,000 for Home Depot, as well as additional financial setbacks for buyers who unknowingly purchased stolen merchandise. Investigators meticulously tracked the theft and illegal sale of 21 pieces of heavy machinery.

On a recent Tuesday, authorities from BSO and Miami Dade Organized Retail Crime apprehended Downing in Fort Lauderdale based on multiple warrants encompassing two dozen criminal charges associated with the illicit scheme. The investigative efforts are ongoing, with further arrests anticipated as detectives delve deeper into this case.

Downing is currently in the Broward County jail while facing the following charges:

• Organized Scheme To Defraud
• Conspiracy To Commit Scheme To Defraud
• Fraud Use Of Personal Id Info
• Unlawful Sublease Of Motor Vehicle