Pastor Robert Dell, based in Pinellas County, has been charged with leading a multimillion-dollar theft ring that targeted Home Depot stores across Florida. Dell, who also founded a halfway house for individuals recovering from drug addiction, worked with four accomplices to shoplift branded products such as Milwaukee and Dewalt tools. The stolen goods were then resold on eBay under the store name Anointed Liquidator. The investigation, carried out by the Florida Organized Retail Crime Exchange taskforce, FORCE taskforce, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, revealed that Dell had been operating this scheme for over 10 years, resulting in a loss of more than $5 million.
Florida’s Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody commented on the case, stating, This pastor clearly skipped over the commandment — thou shall not steal. She emphasized her office’s commitment to combating organized retail theft and praised the efforts of the FORCE taskforce in shutting down Dell’s criminal operation.
Dell, 56, was arrested on August 1 and now faces charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, dealing in stolen property as an organizer, as well as two drug-related charges, including possession of cocaine. His bond has been set at $750,000. The other members of the theft ring, namely Daniel Mace, Jessica Wild, Dell’s wife Jaclyn, and his mother Karen, have also been implicated in the crimes. Karen Dell, 72, was released on a $20,000 bond, while Jaclyn Dell, 39, remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.
Following Dell’s arrest, The Rock Church issued a statement clarifying his employment status, stating that Dell had not been the pastor of the church for the past 2 ½ years. The Rock Church also emphasized that Dell had not been the founding pastor but had led the church when it was named the Rock Community Church and Transformation Center.
As the investigation into Dell’s theft ring continues, authorities are determined to take a stand against organized retail theft in Florida. Attorney General Moody’s office views Dell’s case as a prime example of the lengths criminal organizations will go to perpetrate such crimes. Through their combined efforts, law enforcement agencies and task forces are cracking down on these schemes, ensuring the safety and security of businesses and communities throughout the state.
The impact of Dell’s actions extends beyond monetary loss. His abuse of his pastoral and halfway house positions to manipulate vulnerable individuals into participating in criminal activities raises concerns about the misuse of trust and influence. This case serves as a reminder that individuals in positions of authority must be held to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct.
The arrest of Pastor Robert Dell and his accomplices demonstrates the commitment of Florida law enforcement to safeguarding businesses, preventing organized retail theft, and upholding the principles of justice and the law. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains crucial to address the underlying issues that allowed such criminal activities to persist for over a decade. By doing so, authorities aim to prevent future instances of organized theft and protect the wellbeing of communities across the state.
