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Bank Robber Jailed: Alvelo-Cartagena Charged in 2 Heists
A brazen bank robber has been charged with two heists in the San Juan area, leaving investigators scrambling to bring him to justice. Carlos Javier Alvelo-Cartagena, 30, is accused of storming two banks in Santurce and Bayamón, making off with a total of $3,241.
The string of robberies began in January 2020, when Alvelo-Cartagena allegedly stormed an Oriental Bank branch on Betances Avenue in Bayamón, making off with $1,740. The thief was reportedly armed and left the scene quickly, leaving behind a trail of chaos.
But Alvelo-Cartagena’s luck would soon run out. In August 2021, he allegedly robbed the Parada 18 branch of Banco Popular, located inside a Walmart Store in Santurce. This time, the thief got away with $1,501, but police were hot on his heels. They arrested Alvelo-Cartagena shortly after the robbery and recovered most of the stolen cash.
Assistant U.S. Attorney E. Giovannie Mercado of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section is leading the prosecution of the case. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is credited with leading the investigation, which has been ongoing for months.
Alvelo-Cartagena faces a sentence of up to twenty years in prison if convicted of the bank robberies. The indictment against him is merely an allegation, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The people of Puerto Rico are breathing a sigh of relief now that the alleged bank robber is behind bars. The community is coming together to support the victims of these heists and to rebuild the trust in their financial institutions.
As the investigation continues, one thing is clear: the people of Puerto Rico will not tolerate this kind of brazen crime. Alvelo-Cartagena’s alleged crimes have shaken the community, but it is a reminder that justice will be served, and those responsible will be held accountable.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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