JASPER — A suspicious social media post has led to the dismantling of an organized retail theft operation spanning several states. Jasper Police arrested Rajean Sanders, 31, and Kyle Noftle, 26, both residents of Alabama, following an investigation into a large-scale power tool theft scheme.
The case began when local authorities flagged a “suspicious” post on Facebook Marketplace. The listing offered a significant volume of brand-new power tools at prices well below retail value.
Detectives tracked the suspects to the Jasper Home Depot on December 12, where officers observed the pair actively engaged in shoplifting. Upon their arrest, a search of the suspects’ vehicle revealed approximately $4,000 in stolen merchandise.
The investigation quickly expanded beyond the initial arrest. After obtaining a search warrant for the suspects’ hotel room, police discovered a massive cache of additional items including $4,000 in tools in a vehicle, $15,000 of tools in a hotel room for a total of roughly $20,000.
Investigators confirmed that the majority of the recovered items were power tools traced back to multiple Home Depot locations across several different states.
Sanders and Noftle were transported to the Dubois County Security Center. Both individuals currently face the following charges of retail theft, and theft.
While the suspects are currently in custody in Indiana, the Jasper Police Department noted that this is a developing case. As jurisdictions in neighboring states identify their own missing inventory, additional charges are expected to be filed.
