Florida Man Charged with Felony Scheme to Defraud Home Depot Through Fraudulent Returns
James Charles Vinci, 60, of New Port Richey, Florida, has been arrested and charged with felony scheme to defraud and retail theft. Authorities allege Vinci conducted 10 fraudulent merchandise returns at four different Home Depot locations across Pinellas County, accumulating approximately $1,683.18 in store credit. According to arrest affidavits, Vinci used receipts that did not belong to him to return merchandise he had allegedly selected from stores without purchasing. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Vinci entering Home Depot stores empty-handed and subsequently appearing with carts full of merchandise that he then returned for store credit. Investigators identified Vinci through his vehicle and Florida driver's license, which he used during some of the transactions. FLOCK license plate reader technology also assisted in tracking and identifying Vinci's vehicle.
