Law enforcement officials announced Tuesday the dismantling of a sophisticated shoplifting ring that stole nearly $2 million in merchandise from major U.S. retailers and resold the goods in New York City and the Dominican Republic.
Five New York residents face felony charges including possession of stolen property and conspiracy, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced. The operation targeted high-end makeup, perfume, beauty products, and designer clothing from retailers including Macy’s, Victoria’s Secret, American Eagle, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty over approximately two years.
Prosecutors identified married couple Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista as the operation’s leaders, alleging they directed crews to steal specific merchandise from stores across the East Coast, including locations in New York, New Jersey, and Maryland. The group also allegedly paid truck drivers to divert products from manufacturer warehouses to locations under their control.
Operating from a Queens residence, the ring resold stolen goods online and through a physical store called Yvelisse Fashion in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The couple and two other defendants pleaded not guilty at their Saturday arraignment and were released pending January court dates, according to their attorney Vince Scala.
“When a deal seems too good to be true, I guarantee you, it’s too good to be true,” Katz warned holiday shoppers at Tuesday’s announcement.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, joining law enforcement officials, noted this case marks the first prosecution under a recently enacted law criminalizing the fostering of stolen goods sales. “This is real simple. We’ve had enough with criminals preying on our citizens,” Hochul said. “We are sick and tired of our citizens feeling they’re vulnerable to random crimes on the streets or these sophisticated organized crime rings. And we are coming after you.”
The governor cited national statistics showing businesses lose approximately $100 billion annually to organized retail theft, with the average family paying $500 more yearly due to its impact. The case announcement comes amid Hochul’s broader initiative to address retail crime, including recently signed measures increasing penalties for assaulting retail workers, funding specialized law enforcement teams, and providing security camera tax credits for businesses.
The arrests reflect growing national concern over retail theft. Earlier this month, California voters passed a measure making shoplifting a felony for repeat offenders, partially rolling back a decade-old law that had reduced penalties for thefts under $950.
