Your Sikhs today: Home Depot edition

Hamilton ON police announced this week that they have rounded up more than 30 of the usual suspects -- at least 12 of them Sikhs -- in "Project Checkout", an investigation into organized retail theft targeting Home Depot stores. The four-month probe was launched after police noticed a 25% increase in thefts from the American D-I-Y chain.

According to their statement, "What began as a series of shoplifting investigations quickly revealed an organized operation. Investigators found organized groups were stealing high-value tools and construction equipment from Hamilton Home Depot stores before reselling the items through online marketplaces at prices well below retail."

Police allege that in several incidents, suspects "threatened violence when store employees attempted to intervene." They say two search warrants were subsequently carried out at a commercial property and residence where hundreds of suspected stolen tools and other items believed to be connected to the the theft ring were recovered. A 2021 RAM TRX, valued at about C$100,000 ($70,000 in real money), was also seized.

Here's the list of those charged. There are 12 Singhs. More of the accused may also be Sikhs whose fully names have not been reported. Note those who were already on probation or out on bail in other matters.

James Classen, 64 Theft Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2 

Ronny Maroughi, 33 Theft Under $5000 

Brandon Comley, 33 Theft Under $5000 

Geddy Jensen, 43 Theft Under $5000 

Rajwinder Singh, 45 Theft Under $5000 

Karanbir Singh, 31 Theft Under $5000 

Sartaj Singh, 28 Theft Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2 

Lakhvir Singh, 27 Theft Under $5000 

Aashish Sharma, 34 Theft Over $5,000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2

Adam Greenly, 30 Theft Under $5000 

Vishkavjeet Singh, 23 Theft Under $5000 

Cody Wood, 31 Theft Under $5000 Fail to Comply with Probation x 4 (!) 

Andrew Doyle, 47 Theft Under $5000 

Matthew Wells, 44 Theft Under $5000 

Mati Husam, 34 Theft Under $5000 

Rita Al Bezo, 33 Theft Under $5000 

Vishavjeet Singh, 23 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 2 

Manpreet Singh, 30 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Release Order x 4 (!) 

David Phung, 19 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime, Resist Arrest 

Timothy Hall, 42 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation

Conor Fisher, 26 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000

Gurmeet Singh, 28 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000

Daljinder Singh, 35 Theft Under $5000 x 5, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 x 5, Fail to Comply with Release Order x 73 (!!!), Fail to Comply with Undertaking x 5 (!)

Samir Mati, 50 Theft Under $5000 Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 

Jonathan Woodruff, 21 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 Destiny Sawkins, 40 Theft Under $5000 

Mark McCombe, 55 Theft Under $5000 Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 Dylan Pynn, 29 Theft Under $5000 Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Fail to Comply with Probation x 3 (!) 

Gurjit Singh, 25 Theft Over $5000, Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Disobey Court Order x 2, Fail to Comply with Probation x 3 (!) 

William Duce, 49 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000 

Malkit Singh, 46 Trafficking in Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Over $5000, Possession of Proceeds of Crime Over $5000 

Kamaljit Singh Sandhu, 41 Theft Under $5000, Possession of Property Obtained by Crime Under $5000, Disobey Court Order, Fail to Comply with Probation

Most of the accused are expected to be out on bail (again!) by the time you read this. In accordance with Canadian rules respecting privacy, political correctness, and support of the marginalized peoples of the world, police have not disclosed any information as to the citizenship or immigration status ot any of the accused.

Socialism to blame for making American workers "lazy, fat, stupid"

So says Bernie Marcus, who, together with Arthur Blank [seriously, that's his name. Ed.] founded Home Depot. In an interview with the Financial Times (reported from behind the paywall by Breitbart News), Mr Marcus said that "Nobody works. Nobody gives a damn. 'Just give it to me. Send me money. I don't want to work — I'm too lazy, I'm too fat, I'm too stupid." Like this, maybe?

   

How did things get like that? Mr Marcus puts it down to the economic agenda of socialism. He recommends capitalism as the better alternative, because capitalism is based not on entitlement, but on merit. 

"Capitalism is the basis of Home Depot [and] millions of people have earned this success and had success," said the entrepreneur. "I'm talking manufacturers, vendors and distributors and people that work for us able to enrich themselves by the journey of Home Depot. That’s the success. That’s why capitalism works."

Mr Marcus argued that business is meant to make a profit from offering a service or product, explaining that a business's ability to generate profit benefits employees and customers. He also slammed those who believe business exists for “social purposes. "The role of a business is to sell a product and make a profit. The whole idea that a business is set up for social purposes doesn't make sense to me."

He added that if the founders of Home Depot tried to launch such a business in the society and regulatory environment of Brandon's America, it would be less successful, "ending up with 15, 16 stores." That's because big government's love of red tape, along with a lackluster labor force, especially hurts small businesses’ ability to compete with big business.

A longtime conservative donor, Bernie Marcus supported President Donald Trump and became one of his largest donors. His continued support of Trump in the 2020 election cycle triggered a boycott of Home Depot, even though Mr Marcus no longer worked with the company.

Mr Marcus told FT he makes no apologies for backing Republicans such as Mr Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis, saying, "I give money to them because I hope they’re going to do the right thing." 

He described President Trump's policies as "spot on"” but did not say if he would support one man over the other for the GOP nomination. "It's going to be very interesting in `24." Mr Marcus said, "because I think DeSantis will challenge [Trump]. And may the better man win!"