La Porte Man Busted Selling Stolen Merchandise Online

HOUSTON, TX — A Houston man who made his living fencing stolen items from retailers and selling the merchandise on the black market was arrested on felony theft charges. Christian McCray was arrested on Tuesday during an under cover sting operation on his home in La Porte.

Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Mark Herman said investigators learned about McCray in February, while investigating a string of vehicle burglaries in Spring

Herman said that after several of the burglary suspects were arrested, investigators learned about McCray's alleged theft ring.

"During the investigation information was obtained that acquaintances of the arrested person's were committing numerous retail thefts at Target stores located in the Galveston, Harris, Montgomery, and Walker Counties for the last several months," Herman said in a statement.

Investigators discovered that these suspects were also linked to other retail theft cases being investigated by Precinct 4 Constables, Galveston Police Department, Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Montgomery County Sheriff's Department, and Conroe Police Department.

Investigators learned that McCray was purchasing the stolen merchandise from the individuals committing these thefts, and would sell the stolen property for a substantial profit through several seller websites including Amazon and E-Bay.

On Dec. 4, deputy constables, along with The Harris County District Attorney's Office Money Laundering Division conducted an undercover sting operation where various electronics with tracking devices that were identified as stolen, were sold to McCray.

The stolen items were tracked to McCray's home in La Porte, where investigators executed a search warrant. Police recovered more than $57,000.00 in merchandise stolen from Target, Home Depot, Lowes Home Improvement, and Walmart retail stores.

McCray was arrested and booked into the Harris County jail, and is charged with felony theft. His bond was set at $1,500.00 out of the 208th District Court.

Herman said the investigation into McCray's criminal enterprise is ongoing and additional criminal charges are pending.

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Image: HCSO

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