Florida men bought 69 hard drives, returned boxes full of Play-Doh

Author: Associated Press
Published:
Mike Mozart/ Flickr/ MGN

Employees at Target stores across Florida opened 69 newly returned boxes of external hard drives only to find the pricey items had been replaced with Play-Doh.

Polk County Sheriff’s officials say Jose Rivera spent about $6,200 buying 69 hard drives from 16 different Targets in several central Florida counties in January. Authorities say Rainer Bentulan then returned the boxes with lumps of child’s clay that had a similar weight to the hard drives.

The Florida Attorney General’s Office issued warrants charging both men with organized scheme to defraud and conspiracy to commit organized scheme to defraud.

Rivera was arrested Friday. Authorities believe Bentulan is also in central Florida.

Both have lengthy criminal histories and spent time in state prison.

MORE: Target stores offering drive-up service in Florida, Texas

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