Two Nashville Men Facing Federal Charges for Rite Aid Robbery

Security Guard Shot During Inside-Job Robbery

             NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 22, 2018 – A criminal complaint was unsealed yesterday charging two Nashville, Tennessee men with federal crimes relating to the armed robbery of the Rite Aid on West End Avenue in October 2017, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee. 

            Carlos Valcarcel Arocho, 22, and Deonte Breedlove, 24, were each charged with robbery affecting commerce.  Breedlove was also charged with using, carrying and brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

            According to the complaint, on October 9, 2017, at approximately 4:00 a.m., an individual later identified as Deonte Breedlove, entered the Rite Aid on West End Avenue and shot the security guard in the chest at close range.  Breedlove then went to the office area of the store, pointed a handgun at the two employees and ordered them to place money in a bag.  Breedlove then fled the store with the bag of money.

            During the subsequent investigation, investigators determined that one of the Rite Aid employees, Carlos Valcarcel Arocho, was texting Breedlove on a cell phone just prior to the robbery and were able to establish a relationship between Arocho and Breedlove.  Metro Nashville Police Department detectives obtained a search warrant for Arocho’s residence and subsequently located evidence from the robbery inside his apartment. 

            Arocho and Breedlove were subsequently arrested on October 19^th and October 20, 2017, respectively, and charged in state court with aggravated robbery.

            If convicted of the federal charges, Breedlove faces up to life in prison and Arocho faces up to 20 years in prison.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the FBI.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Philip H. Wehby and Van Vincent are prosecuting the case.

            A criminal complaint is merely an accusation.  All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.          

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