Man Busted in Major Las Vegas Appliance Heist Ring Targeting New Homes

The dream of a brand-new home often comes with the sparkle of fresh, unmarred appliances. But for numerous new homeowners and developers across the Las Vegas Valley, that dream turned into a nightmare as a wave of brazen appliance thefts swept through vacant, newly constructed properties.

From the quiet suburbs of Henderson to the bustling new developments in North Las Vegas and unincorporated Clark County, a sinister pattern emerged.

Thieves targeted these pristine homes, making off with essential items like refrigerators, washers, and dryers, leaving behind empty spaces and frustrated stakeholders. The cumulative value of these stolen goods quickly climbed into the tens of thousands of dollars, representing not just a financial hit but significant delays for homebuyers eager to move in.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) quickly launched a comprehensive investigation as reports piled up.

Recognizing the organized nature of these crimes, detectives employed innovative tactics to track down the culprits. A crucial turning point came with the strategic placement of “bait” appliances, fitted with advanced tracking devices, into vulnerable new homes. This, combined with meticulous analysis of surveillance footage from various construction sites, began to paint a clearer picture of the operation.

The painstaking police work paid off.

Following leads generated by the tracking devices and corroborating evidence from surveillance, authorities identified a key suspect: 32-year-old Anthony DeJesus. His alleged involvement in a series of these audacious burglaries, which occurred between late April and late May, led to his apprehension.

The arrest was a significant victory for law enforcement, bringing a potential end to the string of thefts that had plagued the valley's burgeoning housing market.

DeJesus now faces a formidable array of charges, including multiple counts of commercial burglary and grand larceny, reflecting the scale and seriousness of his alleged actions.

Each charge underscores the considerable value of the stolen appliances and the disruption caused to both individual homeowners and the wider construction industry.

This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who seek to profit from the vulnerabilities of new developments. The LVMPD continues its diligent efforts to protect communities and property, ensuring that the promise of a new home in the Las Vegas Valley remains intact, free from the shadow of such opportunistic crimes.

Developers and future homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief as the investigation moves forward, aiming to recover more stolen goods and hold all responsible parties accountable.