Just in June 2015, three more deaths due to cell phone theft have been reported. Listin Diario reports the main problem is that cell phones can be easily reactivated and as a result there are shops whose inventory is largely made up of stolen cell phones.
Listin Diario undercover reporters visited used cell phone shops in Santo Domingo and verified the ease with which the used cell phones are sold.
Recently, agents of the Cibao Central regional division of the Police arrested Hiciano Martinez and four others who are accused of the death of 23-year old Luis Medrano Reyes in Santiago, who had resisted when thieves stole his cell phone. The Police later determined that the spouse of Martinez operated a used cell phone shop.
On Sunday, 21 June 2015, a former Major League ball player, 22 year old Victor Liriano was killed when he also put up resistance during the robbery of his cell phone.
The Police have urged the public not to buy phones from vendors who are not officially affiliated with the telecom companies.
Meanwhile, the chief of the Police, Major General Manuel Castro Castillo called for increasing the penalties for cell phone theft to discourage the recirculation of these stolen phones. He complained that persons arrested for cell phone theft are quickly released by the judiciary.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2015/06/25/377795/celulares-robados-son-colocados-fcilmente-en-el-mercado-sin-que-se-investigue-su-procedencia
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias/2015/06/26/i1212121_jefe-polica-nacional-pide-consecuencias-contra-ladrones-celulares.html