Man Charged In Waukesha Circuit Court For Fraudulent Refunds Totaling More Than $40,000 To Fuel Heroin Habit

WAUKESHA - An Eagle man was appeared in Waukesha County Circuit Court Thursday on allegations of making more than $40,000 in fraudulent refunds at Home Depot stores in Waukesha and Milwaukee counties.

Ryan M. Krocka, 35, was charged on allegations of theft false representation after a corporate investigator from Home Depot tipped off the Waukesha Police Department to Krocka's activities. The company had identified Krocka as a "high-velocity returner."

According to Lake Country Now, Krocka would steal items from Home Depot and then return them in exchange for gift cards. Home Depot does not require proof of purchase for returns, just a valid ID. He would then sell the gift cards on Craigslist at 50 to 60 cents on the dollar and meet with purchasers at Home Depot stores to prove the card's value.

He pulled off this scheme at the Waukesha, Delafield, Mukwonago, Wauwatosa, and West Allis locations between December 2015 and October 2016, with total loss of $19,717.90 for Waukesha County stores and a loss of $21,774.38 for Milwaukee County stores. Officers confirmed the dates and Krocka's presence through store surveillance videos.

Krocka was already in custody in the Waukesha County Jail on allegations of bail jumping and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a previous incident. According to the criminal complaint, Krocka admitted being a heroin user.

His next court date is scheduled for April 20.

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