A husband-and-wife team from Queens has been charged with operating a multi-million dollar retail theft ring that sold stolen high-end beauty products and designer clothing. Cristopher Guzman, 35, and Yvelisse Guzman Batista, 29, allegedly sold more than $2 million worth of goods, including makeup, perfume, and accessories, stolen from well-known retailers like Macy’s, Sephora, and Ulta Beauty. The stolen merchandise was sold both locally and abroad, primarily through an online storefront and a boutique in the Dominican Republic.
The couple, along with several associates, is accused of paying truck drivers to divert stolen goods from manufacturer warehouses to their Fresh Meadows apartment and home. The operation involved purchasing truckloads of stolen items at a fraction of their retail value and reselling them for substantial profit.
Prosecutors revealed that Guzman and Batista received up to $50,000 worth of stolen goods per week, which were then cataloged and sold from their business, Yvelisse Fashion, in the Dominican Republic. Undercover agents were involved in controlled purchases from the couple, uncovering shelves of merchandise, including brands like Maybelline, Dior, Prada, and Victoria’s Secret.
This case, cracked just before Black Friday, is a result of new state laws criminalizing the sale of stolen goods, with Guzman and Batista facing up to 25 years in prison if convicted. Other individuals involved in the operation, including Rosa Rodriguez Santana, Johanny Almonte Reyes, and Tiffany Leon Fuentes, were also arrested.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the state’s commitment to tackling organized retail theft, with prosecutors stressing that such crimes impact consumers, driving up costs for average families.
