Illegal Marijuana Warehouse Robbery Gone Wrong
Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez
By Dan Murphy
An attempted robbery of an illegal Marijuana warehouse in Mount Vernon that ended up with two men dead, five arrested and one man still at large, has resulted in the FBI offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the whereabouts of Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, wanted in connection with a robbery and homicide in Mount Vernon. Anyone with information can contact us at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
The crime occured on March 19, at 137 South Fifth Avenue, shortly after midnight, and resulted in the death of one of the shooters, and one employee of the warehouse. Arrested were Lario Contreras, Jerpi Diaz-Feliz, Jhoan Diaz-Feliz, Victor Jiminez and Joseph Perez. The defendants are charged with murder in connection with an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon warehouse that sells various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products, and were before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “As alleged in the Complaint, these five defendants carried out a violent armed robbery that left two dead in Mount Vernon. 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.”
According to the complaint, several men attempted to rob at gunpoint a warehouse in Mount Vernon that sells various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. As employees of the warehouse were assisting customers, approximately 10 to 15 people, including the defendants, approached the employees and customers with weapons and forced them back into the warehouse at gunpoint.
The illegal warehouse is located next to senior homes and three blocks from the Mt. Vernon Police headquarters and City Hall. Reports also have the property behind in property taxes owed for two years.
The shootout occured inside the warehouse, where both men were found. One man died later at Mount Vernon Hospital.
FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith said: “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. 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.”
According to court documents, it appears that the robbers were hoping to find several million in cash and kilos of cocaine. The warehouse was used for selling large amounts of marijuana and cigarettes.
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.
Mr. Williams praised the work of the FBI’s Westchester County Safe Streets Task Force and the Mount Vernon Police Department. Mr. Williams also thanked the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office, the Westchester County Police Department, the New York City Police Department, and the Westchester Real Time Crime Center for their invaluable assistance.
The public needs to be on the lookout for Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez. If you have any information about this case, please contact the FBI at 1-800-Call-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
