Thirty-two year-old Roberto Emmanuel Ortiz Mejias was taken into custody Wednesday after a Winter Haven detective recognized him from multiple videos showing him exiting Home Depot with tools and equipment making no attempt to pay for the merchandise. The thefts occurred over the course of 18 days – August 28 to September 14, 2025.
Mejias would enter Home Depot (2000 8th St NE, Winter Haven) and help himself to power tools and equipment ranging from gas-powered trimmers, drills, tool kits, and chain saws each ranging from $199 to $898. All total, the thefts added up to $2,153.
On September 18, 2025 while canvassing the area of Home Depot, Winter Haven Detective Ryan Neely saw a male who resembled the suspect in the area of Walgreens directly across the street from Home Depot. Detective Neely attempted to speak with Mejias, but he fled through the parking lot.
Mejias then ran through the back parking lot of the Travel Lodge where witnesses reported seeing Mejias jump a fence in the area of 9th St NW. Officers located Mejias hiding underneath a vehicle on Ave. W NW. Mejias was taken into custody and interviewed.
During the interview, Mejias stated that he sold all of the merchandise to have enough to pay for his motel room at the Travel Lodge and food. A search warrant was obtained of his rented room where clothing, a hat and shoes matching what was seen in the surveillance photos were located. None of the stolen merchandise was located inside of the room, however there was .22 caliber ammunition located on the bedside table.
Mejias was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with -Five (5) counts of Petit Theft -One (1) count of Grand Theft $750-$5,000 -Six (6) counts dealing in Stolen Property -One (1) count Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon – One (1) count of Resisting Without Violence – and One (1) count of Possession of Fentanyl when the drug was located in Mejias wallet.
