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

FBI ARRESTS TWO INDIVIDUALS AT FT. BUCHANAN

On October 16, 2007, Dennis Aponte-Vega, age 31 and Juan Manuel Albert-Ruiz, age 28, residents of Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and both employees of the PX at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) located at the Ft. Buchanan Army Base, were arrested and have been charged with Theft of Government Property.

On October 16, 2007, Aponte-Vega was initially detained by the U.S. Military Police assigned to the Ft. Buchanan Army Base after security surveillance cameras observed Aponte-Vega leaving the AAFES-PX with some of the store’s merchandise. Among the items recovered were ten iPods, six car stereos, and twelve digital cameras valued at approximately $6,000.00.

In addition, investigators learned Aponte-Vega was given the electronic equipment by co-worker, Juan Manuel Albert-Ruiz. It is believed Albert-Ruiz would steal the items from the store’s inventory storage location and place the items in boxes. Albert-Ruiz would then give the boxes to Aponte-Vega who would then remove the boxes from Ft. Buchanan.

Aponte-Vega would then wait for a telephone call from an unknown individual who would tell him where to deliver the stolen items. Aponte-Vega and Alberto-Ruiz would then each be paid between $200.00 and $300.00 for each delivery. It is believed Aponte-Vega and Albert-Ruiz are responsible for several thefts from the PX using this modus operandi.

This case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division, and the U.S. Military Police assigned to the Ft. Buchanan Army Base.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint is not evidence of any guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.