A man from Harmony is facing charges after allegedly executing a retail fraud scheme at multiple stores in the area.
State police say 23-year-old Jacob Ruth was behind a number of retail thefts at five different Lowe’s locations in both Butler and Allegheny County.
Ruth would allegedly steal items from the store and then return them for in-store credit. He would then use that money to purchase expensive tools. Police estimate that he stole over $2,000 of merchandise in between November and December of last year.
Police discovered the stolen tools while serving a search warrant against Ruth, after he allegedly stole items from a home in Jefferson Township.
He had previously been arrested in December for stealing jewelry, cash, and other valuables from that home.
