Suspect enters plea in College Place Home Depot retail theft operation

WALLA WALLA — A 25-year-old Walla Walla man pleaded not guilty Monday to four felony charges stemming from a retail theft sting at the College Place Home Depot.

Ruban Amero Gaines entered pleas before Judge Pro Tem Robin Olson in Walla Walla County Superior Court to second-degree burglary, second-degree property theft, second-degree possession of stolen property, and second-degree identity theft. Defense attorney Rebecca Lemons represented Gaines, who confirmed Gaines owns no weapons.

Olson scheduled an omnibus pretrial hearing for Thursday, Dec. 3 at 8:30 a.m. and set trial for Monday, Jan. 4, at 9 a.m.

Police arrested Gaines over the weekend of Oct. 23-25 during a three-day joint retail theft operation between College Place police and Home Depot’s regional asset protection team. The operation targeted 13 calls for service, netting multiple arrests, seized narcotics, and nearly $2,500 in recovered merchandise.

Authorities said Gaines and two others were apprehended after attempting to flee in a vehicle carrying more than $1,400 in stolen goods. College Place Police K9 Letty alerted on the car, leading to a search warrant that uncovered narcotics.

Gaines was one of six suspects booked into the Walla Walla County Jail, while seven others received criminal citations. Investigators continue reviewing surveillance footage to identify additional suspects.

Photo courtesy College Place Police Department

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Elkhorn Media Group