Overview

• Authorities link the crew to more than 600 thefts at 71 stores across five Southern California counties with estimated losses exceeding $10 million.
• David Ahl, identified as the alleged ringleader tied to a Tarzana storefront, faces 48 felony counts, has pleaded not guilty, and is held on $500,000 bail.
• Investigators report seizing about $3.7 million in Home Depot merchandise and roughly $800,000 in suspected laundered proceeds during searches.
• Theft teams allegedly targeted small, high‑value electrical components, often stealing $6,000 to $10,000 per hit and reselling through a storefront and online marketplaces.
• A state‑funded multi‑agency task force led “Operation Kill Switch,” nine suspects are now charged, court hearings begin this week, and officials say more arrests are likely.