State of Delaware Department of Safety and Homeland Security

 

Division of State Police

 

Superintendent Thomas F. Mac Leish

DSP News Release: Monday, June 15, 2009- Stop for Seatbelt Violations Yields Thousands in Stolen Merchandise

 

Location of Incident:  Coastal Highway, north of Munchy Branch Road, Rehoboth, Delaware, Sussex County

 

Date of Occurrence: Sunday, June 14th, 2009, at approximately 6:49 p.m.

 

Suspect(s): 

  • Juan Ricardo Rayo Romero, 32, of Queens, New York
  • Maria Cristina Gomez Reyes, 52, of Corona, New York

 

Resume: Police officers here in Delaware will tell you that enforcing the state’s seatbelt law saves lives.  They will also tell you that while conducting this type of enforcement, other good things happen too. 

 

On Sunday, June 13th, a Troop 7 patrol officer was conducting seatbelt enforcement in the area of Route 1 when a van traveled by the officer in which the passenger was not belted.  A traffic stop ensued and the van pulled over on Coastal Highway, just north of Munchy Branch Road. 

 

The driver of the vehicle was identified as Maria Cristina Gomez Reyes and the passenger was identified as Juan Richardo Rayo Romero. Neither occupant had a valid driver’s license nor was the van properly insured.  During this contact with the operator, the Trooper noticed a large quantity of merchandise in the back of the van.  The property, which consisted mainly of clothing items, was stored in double lined plastic bags (a method of concealing merchandise in order to defeat shoplifting sensors).

 

Through the officer’s investigation, it was determined that the merchandise was stolen from twelve (12) different stores at the Rehoboth area outlets.  In all, $8,969.50 in stolen merchandise was recovered and returned to the merchants in Rehoboth… all because of a seatbelt violation. 

 

The two suspects were each charged with the following offenses:

  • Nine counts of Shoplifting (misdemeanor)
  • One count of Conspiracy (felony)
  • Three counts of Shoplifting (felony)
  • One count of Possession of Shoplifting Tools (felony)

 

Ms. Reyes was also charged with Driving without a License and No Proof of Insurance.  She was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of $29,200.00 secured bond.  Mr. Romero was committed to the Sussex Correctional Institute in lieu of $28,000.00 secured bond.

 

Maria Cristina Gomez Reyes

 

Juan Ricardo Rayo Romero

 

 

 

State Police Home page | State of Delaware Home Page

This page is maintained by

Sergeant Joshua A. Bushweller

Public Information Office