STUART, FL — A 43-year-old Stuart man is facing multiple felony charges after a series of thefts from a local Home Depot in June and July, according to arrest affidavits.
Brendan Colin Milligan was arrested on July 4 and is currently being held in Martin County Jail on a $20,000 bond. He has been charged with seven counts of felony petty theft with prior convictions and resisting a merchant during a theft. According to court records, Milligan is representing himself.
Police began investigating after a June 25 report of a bicycle stolen from a private patio. Although the victim didn’t want to press charges, officers ran Milligan’s name through a pawn transaction database. While no bicycle sale was found, records showed that he had pawned a Milwaukee chainsaw and hedge trimmer—tools commonly sold at Home Depot.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage and identified Milligan stealing two Milwaukee tools worth $298 without paying. A Home Depot loss prevention officer, familiar with Milligan from prior cases, confirmed the identification.
On July 4, the same representative spotted Milligan inside the store and called him out by name, prompting him to flee. He was arrested later that day by Stuart Police.
The investigation revealed additional thefts from Home Depot linked to Milligan. According to the Martin County Clerk of Courts, he has 16 prior convictions for petty theft as of December 2023.
Milligan remains in custody as the case proceeds.
