U.S. Department of Justice

Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez
United States Attorney
District of Puerto Rico

Torre Chardon Suite 1201 (787) 766-5656
350 Carlos Chardon Street
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                Contacts: U.S. Attorney’s Office
Date: October 31, 2008                                                                                                       Lymarie Llovet-Ayala
                                                                                                                                          Public Affairs Specialist
                                                                                                                                          787- 282-1820; 787-340-1835

OBEL CRUZ PÉREZ ARRESTED FOR KIDNAPPING OF LUIS FELIPE BELLO JAVIER

SAN JUAN, P.R. - Obel Cruz-Pérez, aka “Obelito,” “Armani,” was arrested today by FBI agents, after he was identified by a witness as the mastermind of the kidnapping of Luis Felipe Bello-Javier on August 4, 2008. Cruz-Pérez, of Dominican nationality, was charged with kidnapping and use of a firearm in furtherance of a violent crime. The defendant had been detained by ICE agents last Tuesday on unrelated charges.

On August 4, the victim was kidnapped from the parking lot of his residence. The kidnappers requested a ransom of $650,000 and threatened that they were going to kill the victim if they did not get the money. The FBI was immediately contacted by family members and authorities were able to record and monitored over 35 calls between the kidnappers and the victim’s family. On August 8, 2008, the money was exchanged between the kidnappers and family members of the victim, at which time the FBI arrested two men who had the victim under their custody. Cruz-Pérez was not present that night, but was later identified as the mastermind of the kidnaping.

“The crime that these men committed, had atrocious consequences including the death of a law enforcement officer from the Police of Puerto Rico,” said United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “Today’s arrest brings us a step closer to bringing justice to the victims of this crime.”

“Today’s arrest brings another individual to justice who is responsible for this kidnaping which resulted in the death of Police of Puerto Rico Officer, Orlando Gonzalez Ortiz,” said Luis Fraticelli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI-San Juan Field Office. “As in all other cases, the FBI and the Police of Puerto Rico will continue investigating this matter until all the individuals responsible for this heinous crime are brought to justice.” The case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Ilianys Rivera. If convicted, the defendant faces up to life in prison and a fine up to $250,000 dollars.

A criminal complaint is a criminal charge and not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty.