MINEOLA, N.Y. — Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that Manooj Heeralall, 55, of Baldwin, has been indicted in connection with an alleged retail theft operation targeting Home Depot stores across Nassau County, Suffolk County, Queens, and Brooklyn. The operation reportedly employed several individuals to steal merchandise from these stores between October 2021 and December 2023. Search warrants executed at Heeralall’s home recovered nearly $40,000 worth of stolen goods.
Heeralall was arraigned today before Judge Howard Sturim on multiple grand jury charges, including Burglary in the Third Degree (a D felony), Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (a D felony), Attempted Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree (an E felony), Grand Larceny in the Fourth Degree (an E felony), Attempted Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree (an A misdemeanor), and Conspiracy in the Fifth Degree (an A misdemeanor). Heeralall pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 7, 2025. If convicted, he faces up to 2-1/3 to 7 years in prison.
“This defendant was the alleged architect of a retail theft scheme targeting Home Depot stores across Long Island and parts of New York City, where nearly $40,000 worth of stolen goods were taken and later shipped to Guyana to be resold for profit,” said DA Donnelly. “My office, along with the Nassau County Police Department, is committed to dismantling retail theft rings and holding criminals accountable for their actions.”
Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder echoed this sentiment, stating, “There is no place for retail crime in Nassau County. These criminals who target businesses and hardworking people will always be pursued. We’re proud of our partnership with the District Attorney’s Office and the Organized Retail Crime Task Force for bringing these offenders to justice.”
The investigation revealed that between March and December 2023, Heeralall allegedly employed individuals to steal various items, including circuit breakers, light switches, and other equipment, from Home Depot locations across Nassau County (including Freeport, Levittown, Syosset, and Westbury), as well as from stores in Suffolk County, Queens, and Brooklyn.
Heeralall would meet with the individuals later to pick up the stolen merchandise and make payments. He allegedly stored the goods in his home and garage. On December 7, 2023, law enforcement executed search warrants at Heeralall’s residence and recovered nearly 1,000 circuit breakers valued at $15,025, as well as hundreds of additional items like circular saw blades, outlets, and more circuit breakers from the garage. Four garbage bins were also found, containing stolen acrylic roof coating, rock spotlights, oscillating blades for grout, and light switch wall plates, totaling $9,576 in value. In total, approximately $37,151 worth of stolen merchandise was recovered.
The investigation was aided by The Home Depot Investigations Organized Retail Crime Northern Division, and Heeralall was arrested on December 7, 2023, by members of the Nassau County Police Department’s District Attorney Squad.
Assistant District Attorney Kaitlyn Wells of the Organized Crime and Rackets Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jeremy Glicksman and Executive Assistant District Attorney Rick Whelan. Heeralall is represented by Raymond Baierlein, Esq.
The charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
