Gunman Pleads Guilty to Daytime Robbery of Brinks Armored Truck in Queens

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, David Ortiz pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence in connection with the gunpoint robbery of a Brinks armored truck transporting money belonging to a Bank of America branch. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo. When sentenced, Ortiz faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years' imprisonment for brandishing a firearm, in addition to any sentence imposed for the bank robbery charges, and restitution.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the guilty plea.

"The defendant planned and carried out a violent armed robbery in broad daylight, threatening Brinks armored truck employees with a firearm while stealing more than half a million dollars destined for a neighborhood bank," stated United States Attorney Nocella. "This calculated crime may have looked like a scene out a movie, but it was terrifyingly real, and placed the victims in fear for their lives. Today's guilty plea ensures that the defendant will face the consequences of his violent actions."

"This was a brazen, violent crime that put innocent people in immediate danger. The FBI and NYPD moved quickly to track down David Ortiz to ensure he faced federal charges," stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle. "Violent robberies have absolutely no place in New York, and we will not hesitate to go after those who threaten our communities. Our work with our partners has led to this guilty plea."

"This defendant planned and executed an armed robbery outside a bank in Queens, threatening employees at gunpoint and stealing more than $500,000 from an armored truck," stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch. "He thought he could get away with this dramatic crime, but his plan was no match for the skilled NYPD detectives and the investigative tools they used to track and arrest him. I thank our investigators and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York for working to hold this criminal accountable."

According to court filings and statements made during the plea hearing, on the morning of June 2, 2025 at approximately 8:43 a.m., Ortiz and an accomplice, both wearing masks and armed with guns, staged an ambush outside a Bank of America branch located at 205-02 Linden Boulevard in Queens, New York. The pair arrived before the scheduled cash delivery and waited for Brinks employees to transport money from an armored truck into the bank. When the employees began wheeling a bag of cash toward the bank entrance, Ortiz brandished a firearm, ordered the employees to the ground, and stole the service weapon of one of the armored car guards. At the same time, Ortiz's accomplice loaded the bag containing approximately $542,000 into a Chevrolet sport utility vehicle which did not have license plates. The two men then fled with the stolen cash. Later, NYPD officers recovered a mask, a jacket, and a firearm discarded by Ortiz in the vicinity of Hilburn Avenue and Dunkirk Street. The stolen cash has not been recovered and Ortiz's accomplice remains at large.

The government's case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Section. Special Assistant United States Attorney Brachah Goykadosh and Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Amzallag are charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

DAVID ORTIZ
Age: 49
Brooklyn, New York and Texas

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 2-CR-343 (EK)