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 their cargo.
The group would steal beauty products, clothes and accessories in stores that included Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Sephora, Ultra Beauty, among others.
The authorities tracked the ring for two years, and secured evidence by using undercover agents.
Five New Yorkers, including the Guzmans, have now been charged with felony possession of stolen property, conspiracy and other related crimes, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York Special Agent in Charge William S. Walker, chief of the federal investigation office for National Security, said that an estimated US$2 million had been skimmed off US stores since 2021.
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Queens District Attorney
New York Post
Am NY
El Dia
Diario Libre
Noticias SIN
28 November 2024