HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A sophisticated criminal network that treated retail theft like a corporate enterprise has been dismantled by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Dubbed “Operation D-Fence,” the investigation culminated on May 4, 2026, with the arrest of 14 individuals and the seizure of an estimated $5 million in stolen merchandise.
The crackdown targeted a high-level “fencing” operation—a system where stolen goods are bought and then resold to unsuspecting buyers. This particular ring specialized in high-demand construction materials, tools, and home appliances, moving products across Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
The investigation began in November 2025 after a tip about a local fencing location. As detectives dug deeper, they uncovered a logistical web that functioned with surprising precision. The group didn’t just shoplift; they utilized a variety of tactics including using fraudulent invoices to underpay for goods, returning stolen items for cash, and cutting locks on storage containers at active construction sites.
At the center of the web sat 55-year-old Hoover Rengifo. Authorities identified a residence in Lutz, Florida, as the central hub where stolen property was funneled. From that headquarters, Rengifo and a team that included several family members allegedly managed the storage, transportation, and eventual resale of the goods through online marketplaces.
Detectives tracked over 1,800 online transactions linked to the group over the past year, estimating that $7 million in illicit proceeds flowed through the operation in that timeframe alone.
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During the execution of four search warrants, deputies recovered $220,000 in cash and seized seven vehicles used to transport the stolen inventory. The recovered goods included a vast array of electrical supplies, hardware, and fixtures primarily stolen from major retailers like Lowe’s and The Home Depot.
“This was not a group of opportunistic thieves. This was a highly organized criminal enterprise operating across state lines, targeting businesses, and profiting off stolen goods at a massive scale,” said Sheriff Chad Chronister. “If you are stealing, trafficking, or buying stolen property in Hillsborough County, we will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
The 14 suspects are now facing a litany of serious charges, including racketeering, money laundering, trafficking in stolen property, and grand theft.
Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized the broader economic impact of such schemes, noting that the costs of these massive thefts are eventually passed down to the average shopper.
“Enterprises like this take millions of dollars in products off the shelves, and consumers foot the bill as retailers try to recover the costs,” Uthmeier said. “Thanks to interagency collaboration, we dismantled this crime ring from the top down.”
While the primary players are in custody, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office stated that the investigation remains active.
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