Two cops accused of looting Home Depot after tornadoes hit, Dallas sheriff says
Dallas TX November 24 2019 Two Dallas County sheriff’s officers are accused of stealing from the Home Depot store in Texas that one of them was supposed to be guarding after a tornado ravaged the building, authorities say.
Deputy Joseph Bobadilla, 25, was hired to guard the store on Forest Lane in Dallas during his off-duty hours after tornadoes hit the area in late October, according to a Dallas County Sheriff’s Department news release.
However, instead of protecting the merchandise from looters, Bobadilla is accused of stealing merchandise and taking it to another Home Depot for in-store credit, police said. He’s accused of taking appliances and other items, police said.
The corporate office for Home Depot notified the sheriff’s department of the thefts, prompting an investigation. Bobadilla was charged Thursday afternoon with felony theft of property, police said.
According to an arrest affidavit, Bobadilla asked a Home Depot security officer whether any cameras still worked at the store and where potential items that could be stolen were located. The next day, he went to another Home Depot wearing his uniform and “returned” several items, receiving about $750 in store credit, police said.
About a week later, he returned more stolen merchandise to the store over several days and got about $1,750 in credit, according to the affidavit.
Bobadilla used the credit to buy a washer, dryer and microwave, police said. In all, he stole about $2,500 in merchandise from the store, police said.
The sheriff’s office was executing a search warrant Thursday morning at a location connected to the thefts.
Deputies searched Bobadilla’s home Thursday morning, KXAS reported. Video showed the deputies carrying large appliances out of a residence in Garland, according to a reporter for KDFW on Twitter.
Dallas Co. Sheriff’s deputies seen carrying out large appliances from this Garland home of Deputy Joseph Bobadilla. He’s accused of stealing merchandise from tornado-damaged Home Depot on Forest Ln he was supposed to be guarding @FOX4
Another large appliance being carried out of home of Dallas Co. Sheriff’s deputy accused of stealing from tornado-damaged Home Depot location. Neighbors say they’ve seen sheriff’s deputies carrying boxes of stuff out all morning @FOX4
In a statement, Sheriff Marian Brown said Bobadilla will be held responsible.
“The Dallas Sheriff’s Office does not condone or support employees that break the law,” Brown said. “Our core values are integrity, professionalism and accountability and as a result, we will follow the proper procedures and guidelines in place to uphold the law and ensure the deputy is held responsible for his actions.”
Bobadilla was hired as a jailer five years ago and promoted to deputy in 2016, KXAS reported. Evans has worked for the sheriff’s office for 16 years. She was promoted to sergeant in 2007, officials said.
