A Queens husband-and-wife team was charged with running a retail theft ring that sold more than $2 million worth of stolen high-end beauty products and clothing from their home and a storefront in the Dominican Republic, authorities said Tuesday.
The theft and fencing operation included such products as makeup, perfume, cosmetics, designer clothing and accessories stolen from retailers such as Macy's, Sephora and Ulta Beauty that were sold locally and abroad at deeply discounted prices.
The ringleaders also paid truck drivers to divert specific merchandise from manufacturer warehouses to their home and an apartment in Fresh Meadows, officials said.
The suspects, Cristopher Guzman and Yvelisse Guzman Batista, along with several associates, were charged under a new state stolen goods statute that was used for the first time in New York.
"These arrests once again prove that consumers should be extremely careful about buying items on social media or from unfamiliar vendors," said Queens DA Melinda Katz.
"As we approach the holiday season, take great care to know the genesis of the products you are buying."
The fenced goods takedown, just days before Black Friday, comes months after news measures protecting consumers against organized retail theft were signed into law.
The new law criminalizes fostering the sale of stolen goods, a charge that was used for the first time since the new law went into effect.
"New Yorkers are sick and tired of the retail theft that has been plaguing our businesses and communities," said Gov. Hochul, who announced the arrests alongside Katz.
Keeping New Yorkers safe is my No. 1 priority, and as we enter the holiday shopping season, we will continue focusing our efforts to ensure people feel safe walking into stores and business owners can focus on serving their customers instead of locking up everyday items like toothpaste and deodorant."
Guzman, 35, and Batista, 29, were arraigned on charges that included criminal possession of stolen property, grand larceny, conspiracy and fostering the sale of stolen goods.
They face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors said the team purchased truckloads of stolen goods that were pilfered from retailers up and down the East Coast. Much of the merchandise never even reached the retail outlets.
The suspects received nearly $50,000 worth of stolen merchandise per week for which they paid the theft crews approximately 10% to 15% of retail value.
The goods were then catalogued and sold in New York through online ads and from a brick-and-mortar boutique called Yvelisse Fashion in the Dominican Republic.
Officials cracked the case with the help of an undercover enforcement team that bought stolen goods. Team members were also asked by the couple to steal certain products based on the high demand from their buyers.
Undercover agents who made controlled purchases from their website were directed to the basement of a Queens home, where they saw shelves of merchandise.
Brand names among the stolen goods were Maybelline, Fenty, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace, Valentino, Prada, Ferragamo, Victoria's Secret and American Eagle.
Officials also found a money counter and two polymer ghost gun kits.
The operation is estimated to have taken in $2 million in sales in two years.
"Organized retail theft is far from a victimless crime," said William Waker, Homeland Security Investigations New York special agent in charge. "Estimates show the average American family pays over $500 annually in additional costs due to the impact of organized retail crime."
Also arrested were Rosa Rodriguez Santana, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills; Johanny Almonte Reyes, 33, of Fresh Meadows, and Tiffany Leon Fuentes, 29, of Ozone Park.
Santana is the mother of alleged ringleader Guzman Batista.
Charges against them include criminal possession of stolen property, grand larceny and fostering the sale of stolen goods.