Two people have been arrested following a months-long investigation into an alleged organized retail theft and fencing operation that authorities say targeted stores across New York City and several suburban counties.
The investigation, led by the New York State Police in partnership with the Queens County District Attorney's Office and Homeland Security Investigations, resulted in the seizure of more than 5,000 items with an estimated retail value of more than $159,000.
State police identified the suspects as:
Maria "Glenny" Betances, 47, of Valley Stream
Leslie Cruz, 24, of East Elmhurst
Second-degree criminal possession of stolen property
Attempted second-degree criminal possession of stolen property
Betances was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.
Cruz was arraigned July 22, while Betances was arraigned July 24. Both are scheduled to return to court Sept. 29.
Investigators allege Betances and Cruz operated a retail theft and fencing operation from residences in Valley Stream and East Elmhurst. Betances also operated a licensed day care from the Valley Stream residence, according to state police.
Authorities said the pair allegedly directed individuals to steal specific merchandise, including cosmetics, clothing and other high-demand retail products, from stores in Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, Westchester and Rockland counties.
Investigators allege the stolen merchandise was resold locally through social media platforms or shipped to the Dominican Republic for resale.
Between February and July, investigators conducted multiple controlled sales of merchandise represented as stolen property, according to state police.
Search warrants executed July 21 at both residences resulted in the seizure of:
More than 4,200 pieces of allegedly stolen merchandise, broken retail security devices, tools used to remove anti-theft devices and about $10,000 in cash from the Valley Stream residence.
More than 100 pieces of allegedly stolen merchandise and about $20,000 in cash from the East Elmhurst residence.
In total, investigators recovered more than 5,000 items with an estimated retail value exceeding $159,000.
State police said the investigation was supported by the Organized Retail Theft Task Force, which was established by Gov. Kathy Hochul to help investigate and prosecute organized retail theft cases across New York.
Authorities said the defendants also face charges made possible by changes to New York's larceny laws that allow prosecutors to combine the value of merchandise stolen during separate incidents when the thefts are part of a common scheme or plan.
The investigation remains ongoing.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: 2 arrested in alleged NY retail theft ring; police seize 5,000 stolen items