Special Agent in Charge Carlos Cases of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Juan Division, announced the arrest of Luis Tirado-Ortega. On January 26, 2015, the FBI charged Luis Tirado-Ortega with Hobbs Act-Robbery and use of a firearm during commission of a crime.

On January 19, 2015, during the early morning hours, the Puma Gas Station/To-Go Store, located at Carretera 2, Bayamon, Puerto Rico, was robbed by multiple armed, masked assailants.

During the robbery, an off-duty police officer, who was working a part-time security job at that time across the street at a car dealership, noticed suspicious activity at the gas station. He contacted the police. A short time later, three Bayamon Municipal Police officers arrived to the gas station as the assailants were exiting the gas station and entering their getaway vehicle.

The contacting officers announced themselves and the assailants immediately fled the scene on foot. The officers grabbed one of the assailants, who was seated in the driver seat of the getaway at the time. After a physical altercation, this assailant broke loose and ran away. Two of the officers pursued the assailant and eventually caught up to him when another physical confrontation ensued. During the struggle, the assailant pulled a pistol and pointed it at the officers. One of the officers fired upon the assailant, striking him in the buttocks.

The assailant was arrested by the contacting agents and transported to Centro Medico for the gunshot wound treatment. The assailant’s loaded pistol was recovered by local authorities, described as a Glock 27. The assailant was identified by local authorities as Luis Tirado-Ortega.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to a maximum of 30 years in prison. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Daynelle Alvarez and is being investigated by the FBI.

The public is reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty. The U.S. government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.