Kristopher Heard, 39, of Philadelphia, was sentenced to 9 to 23 months in prison for taking part of an organized retail theft ring responsible for stealing more than $51,000 in merchandise in May and August 2025 from Home Depot stores in Montgomery, Delaware, Bucks and Philadelphia counties, The Pottstown Mercury reported.

According to officials, the theft group committed 38 thefts from Home Depot stores, including those in Cheltenham and Plymouth townships. The Home Depot on Cheltenham Avenue in Cheltenham Township was targeted on May 27, 2025. Video surveillance showed Heard and another man enter the store with empty flat carts and enter the seasonal department where they loaded their carts with multiple air conditioners valued at $2,107, The Mercury said.

The group also hit Home Depots in Willow Grove, Montgomeryville, Bensalem (Bucks County), Broomall (Delaware County), and Philadelphia.

Heard pleaded guilty to felony charges of organized retail theft, conspiracy to engage in retail theft, and conspiracy to engage in receiving stolen property. He was one of three Philadelphia men arrested last August.

The investigation was conducted by county detectives and detectives from Cheltenham and Plymouth townships. According to Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele, the group targeted “high-value goods, including Ryobi pressure washers, air conditioners, battery starter kits, Shark vacuum cleaners and Milwaukee Battery Chainsaws.”

Approximately $10,000 in stolen goods has been recovered by police, The Mercury said.

Photo: DA Steele’s office