ROCKLAND — The U.S. Border Patrol detained seven foreign individuals Saturday for possible theft of merchandise from the Home Depot store in Rockland.

Rockland police were called to the store Feb. 18 at approximately 9 a.m. regarding a group of individuals who were being watched remotely by the asset protection office and appeared to be concealing items, according to a news release posted on the department’s Facebook page Feb. 19.

Police said they have received information in the past about a particular group or groups of individuals, often using white vans, who were allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars, or more, of materials and equipment from stores throughout the state, particularly at various Home Depot stores.

The store’s security office reported to police there were two white vans at the store the group exited before entering the store. When Sgt. Redden and Officer Finnegan arrived at the scene, they located one van still on the property.

Police located seven individuals in the van and attempted to identify them, but they could only produce identification of a foreign country and spoke very little English, according to the news release. 

Rockland Police contacted the U.S. Border Patrol to assist with the investigation.

Based on the limited information police said they had and the complexity of the investigation, all the persons involved were issued trespass notices.

Rockland Police and members of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office assisted the U.S. Border Patrol in detaining and transporting all the individuals to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.  

The criminal investigation is ongoing and criminal charges are pending, police said.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com