Overview

• Prosecutors say the crew is linked to roughly 600 thefts at 71 stores across Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, focusing on high-value electrical components worth $6,000 to $10,000 per hit.
• Nine defendants are charged in a consolidated 48-count complaint alleging conspiracy, organized retail theft, grand theft, receiving stolen property and money laundering after a multi-agency takedown on Aug. 14.
• Authorities identify David Ahl, who ran ARIA/Arya Wholesale in Tarzana, as the alleged ringleader; he is in custody on $500,000 bail, has pleaded not guilty and faces up to 32 years in prison if convicted.
• Investigators report seizing about $3.7 million in stolen Home Depot merchandise and roughly $800,000 in suspected illicit proceeds, with fencing alleged through a storefront and online sales by a relative.
• Operation Kill Switch coordinated the case under a new law allowing a single filing across counties, and officials say the probe remains active with additional arrests expected.