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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS RELEASE

On January 17, 2007 at approximately 9:00 pm in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, FBI agents and the Virgin Islands Police Department arrested, without incident, Manuel Alberto Diaz-Santana, age 28, also known as "Juan Gonzalez Ramos" and "Saldinita." Diaz is from the Dominican Republic and is charged with armed bank robbery.

On December 9, 2006, Diaz along with two other individuals who have been identified as Candido Sanchez-Reyes and Frank Charles Echevarria allegedly robbed at gun point the Scotiabank located in Plaza Bayamon, State Road 2, Hato Tejas, Bayamon, Puerto Rico of approximately $25,000.00. It is further alleged that an AK-47 type rifle and two hand guns were used in the commission of this armed bank robbery.

Diaz had his initial appearance today in the District of the U.S. Virgin Islands and is scheduled for an identification hearing on January 24, 2007 prior to his extradition to the District of Puerto Rico. If convicted, Diaz faces up to a maximum of 32 years of imprisonment.

Sanchez and Echevarria were arrested by the FBI on December 29, 2006 and are currently detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico awaiting trial.

The public is reminded that a complaint 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.