Former Sears Hometown Owner Charged With Theft

The former owner of Sears Hometown in Washington has been charged with theft after allegedly making fraudulent returns and placing the money in his accounts.

Michael K. Orf, 60, Washington, faces one count of stealing — $750 or more.

An investigation was opened into the shuttered business in 2022, shortly before it closed.

According to the probable cause statement, a member of the loss prevention team for Sears said Orf and his business partner — identified as JMR — made fraudulent returns across five different stores.

The Sears employee said the returns were made specific to the store, but items were not coming back.

The money from the returns was going to accounts specific to Orf and JMR.

Orf told the Sears member the money was not for personal gain and they were using it for payroll and rent.

Or said when they began making fraudulent returns, they intended to pay it back through another business, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they were unable to pay back what was taken.

The probable cause statement says Orf made a return Feb. 12, 2022 for a lawn mower purchased in March 2021.

The Sears member contacted the buyer, who said they had not returned the item and it was still in their possession.

Orf received more than $2,500 to his account for the return.

Washington Police contacted Orf and asked if the information he had given on the written statement was factual.

Orf denied it, claiming that he was told to write it so they would “be easier on him.”

Orf was arrested and declined making another written statement.

The probable cause statement said that Orf owned Sears Hometown stores in Farmington, Poplar Bluff, Waterloo, Ill., and Litchfield, Ill.

Online records show that Orf also was charged in 2022 for stealing in Farmington. He received two years probation.