A Gainesville man, Richard Trent Parker, 43, has been arrested for a second time in connection with alleged thefts from the Habitat for Humanity of Hall County ReStore.
The Hall County Sheriff’s Office reported that Parker, who was employed by the ReStore at the time, was first arrested on February 12, 2025, on a felony charge of theft by conversion. According to investigators, managers at the ReStore contacted law enforcement after uncovering evidence that Parker had been taking money from daily cash receipts and using the funds for personal expenses.
The initial investigation determined that the thefts occurred between January 1 and February 11, 2025, with the total amount stolen nearing $10,000. Parker was released on bond five days after the February arrest, but the investigation continued.
Further inquiries revealed that starting December 18, 2024, Parker had also used the business computer multiple times to divert ReStore funds into a personal Cash App account, continuing up until his February arrest. This discovery led authorities to obtain a warrant for felony computer theft.
On October 3, Parker was taken from the Colwell Probation Center in Blairsville to the Hall County Jail on the new warrant. He was released the following day on a $5,700 bond.
In response to the incident, Habitat for Humanity of Hall County issued a statement on October 8, confirming the arrest and emphasizing that the theft was isolated to their ReStore location. The organization credited routine internal monitoring for identifying the irregularities and promptly working with local law enforcement to hold the individual accountable.
Lila Weaver, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Hall County, expressed deep disappointment over the breach of trust. She assured the public that the incident does not represent the values of the organization and highlighted swift actions taken to protect donors, volunteers, and the families they serve.
Habitat officials also thanked the Hall County Sheriff’s Office for their diligent investigation and confirmed that additional safeguards have been implemented at the ReStore to prevent similar incidents in the future.
