21 Puerto Rico gang members indicted in Bank/ATM robbery scheme

The Defendants Are Part of a Bank/ATM Robbery Gang from the Campanilla and Candelaria Wards in the Municipality of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico

Posted By CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – 21 Puerto Rico Campanilla and Candelaria Wards in the municipality of Toa Baja, Puerto Rico gang members were indicted, according to a 17 count federal indictment unsealed today in the District of Puerto Rico, charging them with racketeering, conspiracy to commit bank robbery, burglary and larceny, interference with commerce by robbery, carjacking, conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances and related firearm offenses, announced by U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico.  

The defendants are: Alfredo Umpierre-Santiago aka Freddie; Luis Ángel Guerrido-Medina aka Viejo; Juan Rosario-Marrero aka Vaquerito; Steven Tapia-Morales aka El Gordo; Elvin Morales-Ramírez aka Chino; Obrayan Hernández-López aka Oby; Luis R. Cotto-Rivera aka Dico; Ivan Martínez-Torres; Enrique Pérez-Rivera aka Henry; David Vargas-Santiago aka Davo; Jahn M. Fermin-Cortés aka Jan; Carlos Fidian Jiménez-Feliz, aka Picachu; José Reyes-Neváres aka Piti; Gabriel Vélez aka Avatar; Yarelis E. García-Ruiz; Javier Ortiz-Nieves aka Javo; Stephanie Herrera-Montañez aka Guri; Karina Alamo-Marrero; Yeisha M. Pedraza-Santiago; Jimmy Molina-Otero aka Tío Jimmy; and Edmanuel Laureano-Spanoz, aka Emma.

The indictment charges robberies to four banks, two credit unions and a gas station.  According to the indictment, as part of the racketeering and bank robbery conspiracies, the organization committed the following violent acts:

• On Nov. 25, 2010, seven defendants travelled to COOPACA, a state insured credit union in Levittown, Toa Baja, assaulted and abducted a security officer at gun point and stole approximately $45,220 from an ATM machine and they also abducted and robbed other civilians.
• On Dec. 29, 2014, 11 of the defendants travelled to Colmadito Encantado at Plaza Encantada in Trujillo Alto, assaulted and abducted a security officer at gun point and stole approximately $53,960 from an ATM belonging to Scotiabank.
• On Jan. 5, 2015, 11 of the defendants travelled to the Doral Bank in Vega Baja, burglarized the bank, stole the security recording system, computer equipment and approximately $228,800 from the ATMs.
• On Jan. 28, 2015, nine of the defendants travelled to the Oriental Bank in Cagüitas Mall in Caguas, abducted and robbed a security guard at gun point, breached the bank, and attempted to steal money from the ATM.
• On Feb. 11, 2015, seven of the defendants travelled to the Doral Bank at Plaza Dorada in Dorado with the intent of burglarizing that bank.  In their attempt, they abducted one security guard and fatally shot a second security guard.
• On March 28, 2015, five of the defendants travelled to Plaza Morovis and stole $30,330 from an off-premises ATM belonging to COOPERATIVA Moroveña.  In order to commit the offense, they abducted and robbed a security guard at gun point and also carjacked his vehicle.
• On Aug. 18, 2015, six of the defendants robbed the Gulf Gas Station Convenience Store located in Ciales and stole $61,480 from an ATM belonging to Banco Popular of Puerto Rico.  They also stole $879 from the cash register, 50 cigarette cartons worth over $3,000 and threatened the clerk with a sledgehammer and restrained the clerk in the bathroom.

Defendants Guerrido-Medina and Laureano-Spanoz are facing one charge of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin, cocaine and marihuana.  All defendants are facing a RICO forfeiture allegation of at least $190,900 and a bank robbery forfeiture allegation of $344,240.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Max Pérez-Bouret and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Normary Figueroa are in charge of the prosecution of the case.  

Seven of the defendants who participated in the murder included in the indictment are eligible for the death penalty.