SAN JUAN, PR—Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff of the FBI San Juan Field Office announced the arrest of José E. López-Piñeiro.

López-Piñeiro was charged under a Complaint with violations of Title 18 U.S.C. § 1951—Interference with Interstate Commerce; 18 USC § 2119(2)—Carjacking with Serious Bodily Injury; and 18 USC § 924(c)(1)(A)(iii)—Brandishing and Discharge of Firearms in Furtherance of a Crime of Violence, for events which took place in Ceiba, Puerto Rico on February 24, 2020.

On the morning of Tuesday, February 24, López-Piñeiro allegedly held the owner of a commercial establishment at gun point and forced the victim to relinquish money from the cash register, as well as his wallet and car keys. It was also alleged López-Piñeiro struck the victim and discharged a firearm, before leaving the establishment in the victim’s vehicle.

Later that same day, López-Piñeiro was detained by agents of the Police of Puerto Rico, Ceiba District, and arrested by special agents of the Violent Crimes Task Force of the FBI East Resident Agency.

This case is being prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico by Assistant United States Attorney Pedro R. Casablanca and is being investigated by the FBI East Resident Agency in Humacao, Puerto Rico.

Public tips and information assist the FBI and its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. Citizens with information are asked to contact the FBI San Juan Field Office at 787-754-6000, or to submit tips through the FBI’s tip line available on our website at tips.fbi.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

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