May 19, 2025
A routine shoplifting incident at the Green Acres Mall Walmart in Valley Stream took an unexpected turn when a Queens man was apprehended not only for theft but also for operating a stolen moped and being subject to an outstanding immigration warrant.
What Sparked It
According to a Nassau County Police Department announcement on Sunday, May 18th, Kelvin Betancourt Guerrero, 23, of Jamaica Avenue, Queens, was caught in the act of shoplifting on Saturday, May 17th, at approximately 3:22 p.m.
Fifth Squad detectives reported that Guerrero concealed merchandise in a bag and proceeded past all points of sale without paying. Loss Prevention personnel intercepted him outside the Valley Stream store, and responding police officers swiftly placed him under arrest without any issues.
However, the charges related to the alleged shoplifting were just the tip of the iceberg.
Further investigation revealed that Guerrero was operating a 2022 moped that displayed a stolen license plate. Additionally, authorities discovered that his driver's license was currently suspended.
Adding another layer to the situation, detectives found that Guerrero had active arrest warrants within New York City. Most significantly, he was also the subject of an outstanding Warrant of Removal issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The Charges
As a result of this series of incidents, Kelvin Betancourt Guerrero was charged with the following:
- Petit Larceny
- Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 5th Degree
- Multiple Vehicle and Traffic Violations
