FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CRM

MAY 31, 2007

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

(202) 514-2008

TDD (202) 514-1888

ARREST AND INDICTMENT OF ARMORED CAR ROBBERY SUSPECT

On May 29, 2007, Luis Matos-Montañez, age 34, was arrested, without incident, by the FBI and the Police of Puerto Rico at his residence in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico.

On May 30, 2007, Matos-Montañez was indicted for his participation in several armored car robberies. The indictment alleges Matos-Montañez participated in the following robberies:

1. The October 25, 2003, Brinks armored car robbery which occurred at the Drive-in Plaza Shopping Center in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The estimated amount taken was $103,500.00.
2. The April 30, 2004, Loomis-Fargo armored car robbery which occurred at the Texaco gas station in Lomas Verde, Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The estimated amount taken was $944,225.00.
3. The November 7, 2005, Brinks armored car robbery which occurred at the U.S. Post Office located on State Road 2 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. The estimated amount taken was $984,580.00.
4. The March 15, 2007, Loomis-Fargo armored car robbery which occurred at the Westernbank, Ponce de Leon Avenue, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. The estimated amount taken was $1,275,000.00.

Matos-Montañez is charged in a superseding indictment along with the previously indicted defendants: Ricardo Torres-Ortiz, Edgardo Salas-Fernandez, Javier Figueroa-Vega, Luis Monserrate-Valentin, Xavier Hernandez-Albino, Eric Fernandez-Nuñez, and Rodolfo Villanueva-Olivo.

Matos-Montañez is charged with four counts of Interference with Commerce by Robbery and one count of Conspiracy. If convicted on all counts, Matos-Montañez faces a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment on each count for Robbery and five years for Conspiracy.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jacabed Rodriguez-Coss.

The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges and is not evidence of any guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.