Police Bust Alleged $159K New York Retail Theft Operation

Investigators say thousands of stolen products were collected, resold online and shipped overseas.

New York retail theft arrests announced Thursday followed a months-long investigation into an alleged criminal operation that authorities say directed people to steal specific merchandise from stores across several counties.

Two women were charged after investigators recovered more than 5,000 items with an estimated combined retail value exceeding $159,000, according to the New York State Police. Authorities also reported finding about $30,000 in cash at two residences.

The allegations have not been proven in court. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are found guilty.

Two Women Face Felony Charges

State Police identified the defendants as Maria “Glenny” Betances, 47, of Valley Stream, and Leslie Cruz, 24, of East Elmhurst.

Both women were charged with:

• Second-degree criminal possession of stolen property
• Attempted second-degree criminal possession of stolen property
• Third-degree grand larceny
• Fourth-degree conspiracy

Betances was also charged with endangering the welfare of a child.

Cruz was arraigned July 22, while Betances was arraigned July 24. Both were ordered to return to court Sept. 29, according to State Police.

How the Alleged Operation Worked

Investigators allege that Betances and Cruz ran a retail theft and fencing operation from homes in Valley Stream and East Elmhurst.

A fencing operation generally involves receiving, storing or reselling property that is believed to have been stolen.

Authorities said the women allegedly directed other people to steal particular products, including:

• Cosmetics
• Clothing
• Other high-demand retail merchandise

The products were allegedly taken from stores in Queens, Staten Island, Nassau, Westchester and Rockland counties.

Investigators said some of the merchandise was resold locally through social media platforms. Other items were allegedly shipped to the Dominican Republic for resale.

Betances also operated a registered daycare from the Valley Stream residence, State Police said. Authorities did not provide further information about the daycare or explain the circumstances behind the child-endangerment charge.

Controlled Sales Led to Search Warrants

Between February and July 2026, investigators conducted several controlled sales in which merchandise represented as stolen property was sold to the defendants, according to police.

On July 21, investigators executed court-authorized search warrants at both residences.

At the Valley Stream property, authorities reported recovering:

• More than 4,200 pieces of allegedly stolen or purportedly stolen merchandise
• Broken retail security devices
• Tools allegedly used to remove security devices
• Approximately $10,000 in cash

At the East Elmhurst residence, investigators said they recovered:

• More than 100 pieces of allegedly stolen merchandise
• Approximately $20,000 in cash

Although the location-by-location totals identified more than 4,300 pieces, State Police said the overall investigation resulted in the recovery of more than 5,000 items valued at more than $159,000.

Multiple Agencies Worked on the Case

The investigation involved the New York State Police Special Investigations Unit, the Queens County District Attorney’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations.

The Nassau County Police Department also assisted.

State Police said New York’s Organized Retail Theft Task Force played an important role in the investigation. The task force was created as part of the state’s expanded effort to investigate organized theft networks that operate across county and state lines.

“Organized retail theft operations harm businesses, increase costs for consumers and often extend across multiple jurisdictions,” State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said.

James said coordinated enforcement among state, local and federal agencies was essential to disrupting the alleged operation.

New York Strengthened Its Retail Theft Laws

Some charges in the case were brought under changes included in New York’s fiscal year 2025 budget.

Those changes allow prosecutors to combine the value of merchandise stolen during separate incidents when the alleged thefts are part of a common plan or scheme. The law can also permit goods taken from different stores to be combined when prosecutors calculate the value of an alleged larceny.

The state budget also provided $40.2 million for dedicated retail theft teams within the State Police, district attorneys’ offices and local law-enforcement agencies. The investment included funding for 100 State Police personnel focused on organized retail theft.

Supporters of the changes argue that organized theft is different from an isolated shoplifting incident because larger operations may involve recruiters, drivers, storage sites and people who resell merchandise.

Critics of tougher criminal penalties have argued that enforcement should be paired with prevention, treatment and programs addressing poverty, addiction and other conditions that may contribute to lower-level theft.

In this case, however, investigators described a coordinated, multijurisdictional operation involving allegedly targeted merchandise and overseas resale.

Investigation Remains Active

Gov. Kathy Hochul praised the agencies involved and said organized retail theft enforcement helps protect stores, workers and consumers.

“By supporting our district attorneys, the State Police and local law enforcement, we are stopping organized retail theft rings in their tracks and making stores safer for all,” Hochul said.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing. Additional arrests or charges could be announced as investigators continue examining the merchandise, financial records and alleged resale activity.

Anyone with information about organized retail theft can contact the appropriate local police agency or submit a tip to the New York State Police.

Conclusion

The New York retail theft arrests show how investigators are increasingly treating large-scale shoplifting as an organized business operation rather than a series of unrelated store thefts.

The case also demonstrates how social media, residential storage locations and international shipping can allegedly be used to move stolen merchandise.

Residents should remember that criminal charges are accusations. The defendants are entitled to due process, and prosecutors must prove the allegations in court.

Community members and retailers who witness suspected organized theft should avoid confronting suspects and instead report the activity to law enforcement.

Sources

• New York State Police, July 30, 2026
• New York State Office of the Governor, fiscal year 2025 organized retail theft initiatives