Bristol Police arrest two New York men in scheme after over 3200 assorted gift cards seized

Two New York men were arrested after alleged activity involving girt cards.

According to police, on Thursday just after 12:45 p.m., the Bristol Police Department responded to CVS located at 400 Metacom Ave for a report of a male suspect involved in fraudulent activity involving gift cards.

An employee for CVS advised that CVS Corporate Security had observed a male at the gift card rack acting suspiciously. The reporting party stated CVS Corporate Security approached the male and the male left immediately on foot. Upon police arrival, an unidentified witness stated he observed the male running north in the parking lot of CVS towards a white vehicle. The suspect never entered the vehicle and ran north through the parking lot. According to the witness, the male operator of the vehicle left the scene. Several minutes later Bristol Police located the suspect’s vehicle on an adjacent street.

The operator of the vehicle was identified as Li Wei, 36, from Elmhurst, New York. Police observed boxes within the passenger compartment of the vehicle containing large quantities of gift cards. The operator of the vehicle was transported to police headquarters for further investigation.

With the assistance of CVS Corporate Security video was retrieved of the fleeing male suspect. Bristol Police were advised in December 2023 by the Rhode Island Fusion Center that gift card tampering has been occurring in Rhode Island.

After the initial investigation involving Bristol Police and Special Agents from Homeland Security, agencies seized over 3200 assorted gift cards.

The second suspect was later located and positively identified as Li Shanhua, 48, from Flushing, New York.

Shanhua and Li are both charged with obtaining money under false pretenses and conspiracy.

Both males were arraigned in Sixth District Court. Li was held on $5000.00 surety and Shanhua was held on $10,000.00 surety.

Bristol Police are working in conjunction with Homeland Security, further charges are pending.