SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – United States Magistrate Judge Camille L. Vélez-Rivé authorized a criminal complaint against Franklin Martínez-Rodríguez, charging him with attempted Hobbs Act robbery and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez for the District of Puerto Rico. The FBI and the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) are in charge of the investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, on October 16, 2017 at approximately 8:00 pm, two individuals entered a fast food located at Calle José De Diego in San Juan, and announced a robbery. Both men were carrying and brandishing firearms. One of the individuals, later identified as defendant Martínez, hopped the counter to retrieve the restaurants money from the register. At the same time, a private security officer emerged from the rear of the store. When the security officer saw the masked man holding a handgun he opened fired against the defendant. Martínez also fired his gun.

Two restaurant patrons were struck during the exchange of gunfire. A male patron was struck in the hand and a female patron was struck in the shoulder and across the chest. The unidentified individual fled the restaurant when the shooting began and entered a waiting vehicle just outside the restaurant. Shortly, emergency personnel arrived at the scene and Martínez was taken into custody by PRPD.

If convicted defendant faces a minimum of ten years up to life imprisonment (for discharging a firearm), as well as a period of supervised release of not more than five years. A criminal complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.   back...