DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

The New York authorities went public about a major crackdown on a married couple that had built a millionaire business that sourced merchandise through shoplifting and delivery truck cargo theft.

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and Governor Kathy Hochul announced on 27 November 2024 that married couple Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista, as well as three co-defendants, were charged with operating a large-scale retail theft and fencing operation.

The ring had teams assaulting storefronts and inside mostly stores in New York, New Jersey and Maryland. The items were later sold online or shipped to the Dominican Republic for resale to Dominican consumers online and at the Yvelisse Fashion boutique in Villa Olga, Santiago for bargain prices.

In addition to the network of shoplifters, the ring also convinced delivery trucks to divert...