The Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ruben Bocanegra, a San Jose resident known as the “Tool Man,” on October 2 in connection with an organized retail theft ring. Deputies executed search warrants at two locations, uncovering around $8,300 in stolen items, according to authorities.
At the first site, deputies found a Dyson vacuum, a DEWALT generator, and an array of other tools. The second location, a storage facility, held additional tools from Home Depot and Lowe’s, along with multiple bottles of alcohol bearing security caps from Target and $5,475 in cash.
Authorities shared images of hundreds of recovered tools, some still with Home Depot price tags. Bocanegra, 63, was taken into custody and booked into the Santa Clara County Main Jail on suspicion of possessing and transporting controlled substances, receiving stolen property, and attempted receipt of stolen goods.
Deputies believe this arrest marks a significant break in a larger retail theft ring in Santa Clara County.