Calgary police officer pleads guilty to $21K Home Depot theft scheme
Const. Bradley Tepper admitted to 'double walk-out' thefts across five stores from July 2024 to August 2025.
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A Calgary police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to stealing more than $21,000 in merchandise from Home Depot stores across the city and surrounding areas.
Const. Bradley Tepper, 53, admitted to the theft charges before Justice Kristin Fahlman after negotiations between his defence lawyer and Crown prosecutors. Tepper, a 20-year member of the Calgary Police Service, was relieved of his duties without pay in August after the investigation began following complaints about fraudulent activity and multiple thefts from hardware stores.
Between July 2024 and August 2025, Tepper executed what the retail industry calls "double walk-out thefts" at five different stores. The scheme worked methodically: he would legally purchase a tool, store it in his vehicle, then immediately return to steal an identical item. If stopped by store staff, he would show the receipt from his legitimate purchase. Later — often at a different Home Depot location — he would return the first tool while keeping the second one, pocketing the stolen merchandise.
A pre-sentence report has been ordered ahead of a sentencing hearing expected later this year. The Calgary Police Service confirmed Tepper remains suspended without pay.
The facts
How much merchandise did the Calgary police officer steal?
Const. Bradley Tepper stole more than $21,000 in merchandise from Home Depot stores.
How long did the theft scheme last?
The thefts occurred between July 2024 and August 2025 across five different Home Depot locations in Calgary and surrounding areas.
How did the 'double walk-out' theft scheme work?
Tepper would legally purchase a tool and store it in his vehicle, then immediately return to steal an identical item. If questioned by store staff, he would show the receipt from his legitimate purchase. He would later return the original tool at a different location while keeping the stolen merchandise.
When did Tepper enter his guilty plea?
Const. Bradley Tepper pleaded guilty on Thursday, August 13, 2026 before Justice Kristin Fahlman.
