5 Face Capital Murder Charges In Pot Warehouse Heist That Left 2 Dead

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A robbery gone wrong in Westchester County left two men dead and five others facing federal murder charges that could result in the death penalty, according to the DOJ.

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams, FBI New York Field Office Assistant Director in Charge James Smith and Mount Vernon Police Commissioner David Gibson, announced the arrest of Ilario Contreras, Jerpi "Jorge" Diaz-Feliz, Jhoan Diaz-Feliz, Victor Jimenez and Joseph Perez. The five men are charged with murder in connection with an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon warehouse that sells unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products, according to the officials. Two men, one employee of the warehouse and one member of the robbery crew, were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.

"As alleged in the Complaint, these five defendants carried out a violent armed robbery that left two dead in Mount Vernon," Williams said. "The dedication, bravery, and expertise of our law enforcement partners led to the swift arrest of this dangerous crew. This was an outstanding coordinated effort to uphold the law and keep the public safe. This Office is determined to ensure that these defendants now face justice."

Early Tuesday, the five men and other accomplices, known and unknown, attempted to rob at gunpoint a warehouse in Mount Vernon that sells various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products, according to the complaint. As employees of the warehouse were assisting customers, approximately 10 to 15 people, including the five men charged, approached the employees and customers with weapons and forced them back into the warehouse at gunpoint.

Shortly after the robbers and others approached the employees and customers with firearms, a gunfight between the warehouse employees and defendants broke out, officials said. As a result, one of the employees and one of the robbers were killed.

A still image from video surveillance outside the warehouse was released by prosecutors.

The FBI is still trying to identify and locate other suspects.

"These five subjects allegedly orchestrated an attempted armed robbery of a warehouse that sells to smoke shops, which quickly turned deadly as a shootout ensued, culminating in the death of both an employee and one robbery crew affiliate," Smith said. "The defendants’ alleged brazen actions demonstrated extreme disregard for public safety and posed a significant threat to the community. The FBI will not cease its relentless pursuit of those who choose violence, especially using firearms, to further their criminal behavior. We urge the public to contact us at 1-800-Call-FBI or at tips.fbi.gov with any additional information related to this case."

See Also: FBI Joins Manhunt For 'Marcos' In Fatal Smoke Shop Shoot-Out

Contreras, 23; Jerpi Diaz-Feliz, 25; Jhoan Diaz-Feliz, 23; Jimenez, 35 and Perez, 26 are each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act Robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, one count of conspiracy to engage in drug trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, one count of possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking activity, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison, and murder through the use of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, which carries a maximum sentence of the death penalty or life imprisonment.

Commissioner Gibson said that those who come to Mount Vernon to commit crimes will face an overwhelming response from city, county and federal law enforcement.

"I would like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force, the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, and the New York Police Department for their partnership, assistance, and continued support in this investigation," Gibson said. "I would also like to thank the Westchester County Police Department and the Westchester Real Time Crime Center for their vital assistance and teamwork. The Mount Vernon Police Department and the Patterson-Howard administration takes crime in our City seriously. We want to send a message to those who seek to commit heinous crimes in our community. We will partner with local, state, and federal partners to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

Anyone with information about the shooting, is being asked contact the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.