Mexican man illegally living in Nevada charged with armed robbery using homemade gun

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KOLO) - A Mexican national unlawfully residing in Las Vegas has been charged in a series of armed robberies that the DOJ says were committed with a homemade gun.

According to the indictment, 38-year-old Jose Manuel Arce-Martinez robbed four taco vendors while brandishing the gun.

The DOJ says from Jan. 21 to Jan. 26, Martinez brandished the subcompact .40 caliber firearm and threatened employees.

Martinez allegedly stole money from the businesses, as well as the personal items of the employees, including two cell phones, a gold necklace, a jacket, and a wallet containing debit cards, drivers’ licenses and a social security card.

He is now charged with four counts of interference with commerce by robbery, four counts of brandishing a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and two counts of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison.

“The defendant is accused of committing a spree of violent armed robberies over a one-week period,” said Acting United States Attorney Sue Fahami for the District of Nevada. “Violent crime has no place in our community. We are grateful for our federal and local law enforcement partners and their commitment to keeping our neighborhoods safer.”

“Today’s indictment should send a clear message that the FBI and our partners will not tolerate this type of violent activity,” said Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI Las Vegas Division. “The suspect, who was in the country illegally, committed brazen acts and instilled fear in our community and put our citizens at risk. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to keep firearms out of the hands of those prohibited from being able to possess them.”