Police say Coral Springs Home Depot shoplifting cases may be connected to a larger pattern of thefts across South Florida
Coral Springs, Florida – Police in Coral Springs have arrested a 23-year-old woman in connection with multiple shoplifting incidents at a local Home Depot, uncovering what investigators say could be part of a wider string of thefts across South Florida.
Leanna Louise Plau, of Hollywood, was charged with retail theft after allegedly taking nearly $5,000 worth of merchandise during two separate incidents at the Home Depot located at 750 University Drive. Authorities say Plau, who already has a history of theft charges, acted with at least one accomplice in the October and December incidents.
In the first incident on October 31, Plau and another woman entered the store around 7 a.m., reportedly loading 12 faucets into a shopping cart. The pair then exited through the store’s rear emergency door without paying for the $3,468 worth of items. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the women placing the faucets into a silver Toyota sedan, driven by a man, before the three drove away.
A second theft occurred on December 4, shortly after 8 a.m., at the same location. Investigators say Plau and the same accomplice went straight to the front display during the store’s Black Friday sales and grabbed nine DeWalt battery kits, valued at $1,391. The women then reportedly walked out of the same entrance and loaded the merchandise into the same car before fleeing the area.
Store security personnel played a critical role in linking the Coral Springs incidents to a broader pattern of theft. After entering the information into Home Depot’s internal security database, the store learned that Plau’s accomplice had been seen at multiple other Home Depot locations throughout South Florida, often using the same vehicle. Video surveillance from one of those incidents captured the car’s license plate, which police traced back to the other woman. Authorities have not confirmed whether the accomplice or the male driver from the first incident has been arrested.
When police ran Plau’s image through law enforcement databases, she appeared as a suspect in three additional cases in Palm Beach County. The details of those cases remain unclear, but officers discovered that Plau was already on felony probation at the time of the Coral Springs thefts.
A Home Depot security officer also recognized Plau from a police lineup and reported having seen her at a Fort Lauderdale store on another occasion, further connecting her to the regional theft pattern.
On January 20, Plau was formally charged with the two Coral Springs incidents. At the time, she was already in Broward County Main Jail facing three separate Palm Beach County charges, including grand theft, larceny of property valued between $750 and $5,000, and scheme to defraud, according to Broward Sheriff’s Office jail records.
Authorities say the cases highlight the coordinated nature of some retail theft operations in South Florida and underscore the importance of surveillance and cross-jurisdictional cooperation. “These incidents are not isolated,” a police spokesperson said. “They demonstrate how organized theft rings can target multiple locations over time, and quick reporting along with modern security systems help us connect the dots.”
For residents and businesses, the cases serve as a reminder to remain vigilant. Retailers are urged to monitor suspicious activity, secure high-value merchandise, and utilize technology to track and document incidents.
As for Plau, law enforcement officials say her arrest could help unravel the broader network of thefts, potentially leading to more arrests in South Florida. “We’re still investigating,” a spokesperson said, “and we hope to prevent future incidents by identifying all individuals involved.”
While the investigation continues, the Coral Springs Home Depot cases provide a clear example of how local thefts can be part of a larger pattern, spanning multiple counties and stores. Officials encourage anyone with additional information to contact local police or Home Depot security.
