U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Bureau of Investigation

Federal Office Building (787) 754-6000
150 Carlos Chardon Avenue
Suite 526
San Juan, Puerto Rico 00918

September 15, 2006

FBI and POPR ARREST THREE INDIVIDUALS INDICTED
FOR THEFT OF $1.6 MILLION IN STOLEN PROPERTY

Rosa Emilia Rodriguez-Velez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Luis S. Fraticelli, Special Agent in Charge, San Juan Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Pedro Toledo-Davila, Superintendent of the Police of Puerto Rico (POPR) today announce the indictment and arrest of three individuals for theft of interstate property with a retail value of approximately $1.6 million.

On September 27, 2006, Arturo Cosme-Morales, Felipe Rivera-Crespo, and Victor Manuel Prado-Charriez were indicted by a federal grand jury in the U.S. District of Puerto Rico. They were charged with Conspiracy to Commit Robbery, Interference with Commerce by Threats or Violence, and Using, Carrying and Brandishing a Weapon during and in relation to a Crime of Violence for their alleged involvement in the robbery of approximately 900 boxes of Winston cigarettes.

Early this morning, FBI and POPR Task Force Agents arrested, without incident, Rivera-Crespo, age 51, at his residence in Cidra, Puerto Rico and Prado-Charriez, age 34, at his residence in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico.

The other defendant charged in this indictment is Cosme-Morales, age 44, resident of Comerio, Puerto Rico who was previously arrested, without incident, on related charges by FBI and POPR Task Force Agents on August 31, 2006.

The indictment alleges that Cosme-Morales planned with other individuals the robbery at gun-point of a driver employed by Francisco Vega-Otero Transports of approximately 900 boxes of Winston cigarettes, which is property of the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. The approximate retail value of these cigarettes is $1.6 million dollars. This shipment of cigarettes was then transported to a warehouse owned by Rivera-Crespo and leased by Prado-Charriez in Aguas Buenas, Puerto Rico. The indictment further alleges that some of the stolen cigarettes were later sold at a store which was owned by Rivera-Crespo in Comerio, Puerto Rico and at other stores.

In addition, six federal search warrants were conducted this morning. A residence and two vehicles were searched in Cidra, Puerto Rico, along with a residence and two vehicles in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico. At this time, no details can be released regarding the evidentiary items seized during these search warrants.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elba Gorbea.

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

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