Vicente Perez, Robbery, New Mexico 2019

On November 20, 2019, a brazen robbery shook the streets of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Tobacco Town, a local business, was the target of a daring heist, leaving the community reeling in its wake. The incident would later lead to the downfall of two accomplices, including the mastermind behind the crime, Vicente Perez.

According to authorities, Perez, 22, of Albuquerque, orchestrated the robbery with his accomplice, Jacob Merkel. The pair's plan was to rob Tobacco Town at gunpoint, with Merkel taking the lead in the heist. On the day of the crime, Merkel fired a shot at the clerk while exiting the building, leaving witnesses shaken.

Perez and Merkel fled the scene, but their escape was short-lived. Albuquerque Police identified the pair and gave chase. In a desperate attempt to evade capture, Perez tried to lose the police in his vehicle, but a tire blew out, disabling it. Perez and Merkel were forced to abandon their car and flee on foot.

A brief pursuit ensued before Perez surrendered to the authorities. The incident highlighted the dangers of gun violence and the importance of community vigilance in preventing such crimes.

Vicente Perez, 22, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for robbery. His accomplice, Jacob Merkel, remains in custody pending sentencing.

As part of his plea agreement, Perez admitted to driving Merkel to the scene of the crime with the intent of robbing Tobacco Town. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva M. Fontanez prosecuted the case.

Perez will be subject to three years of supervised release following his prison sentence. The community can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that justice has been served, and those responsible for the robbery will face the consequences of their actions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/albuquerque-man-sentenced-six-years-prison-robbery