Man Charged with Gunpoint Robbery of Queens Jewelry Store

Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, Ildemar Chirinos-Torres was arraigned before Magistrate Judge Lara K. Eshkenazi on an indictment charging him with robbery of a jewelry store, discharging a firearm during the robbery and interstate transportation of stolen property.  Chirinos-Torres is detained pending trial.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, New York Division (ATF), announced the charges. 

“As alleged, Chirinos-Torres and his co-conspirators stole from, threatened and viciously shot a hardworking merchant during a violent gunpoint robbery of a neighborhood jewelry store,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “We will continue to vigorously prosecute in federal court armed robbers like the defendant who jeopardize the safety and security of members of our community.”

“This brazen act of armed robbery in which the defendant is alleged to have shot an innocent business owner is reprehensible. ATF NY’s Strategic Pattern Armed Robbery and Technical Apprehension (SPARTA) Group and our NYPD partners are committed to investigating and apprehending those who use violence to steal from New York’s hardworking business owners. We are grateful for the diligent efforts of the NYPD's Queens 115th Squad and the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District in the pursuit of justice for our community,” stated ATF Special Agent-in-Charge Miller.

As set forth in the indictment and public filings in support of the charges, on December 12, 2023, Chirinos-Torres and others robbed a jewelry store at gunpoint in Jackson Heights, Queens.  During a struggle with the owner of the store, one of the defendant’s co-conspirators fired a gun multiple times, striking the owner in the leg with one bullet and grazing his face with another.  After stealing approximately $120,000 in jewelry, Chirinos-Torres and his co-conspirators fled on two mopeds.  The stolen jewelry was then transported from New York to Florida. 

Evidence obtained pursuant to search warrants for the defendant’s phones corroborated his involvement in the armed robbery.  For example, a selfie taken approximately two hours before the robbery showed Chirinos-Torres wearing clothing and a messenger bag consistent with the clothing and messenger bag worn by one of the perpetrators during the robbery.  The phones also contained images of jewelry taken mere days after the robbery that the store owners confirmed was consistent with jewelry stolen from the store. 

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, Chirinos-Torres faces up to life imprisonment.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Sean M. Sherman is in charge of the prosecution.    

The Defendant:

ILDEMAR CHIRINOS-TORRES
Age:  29
Freeport, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-215 (WFK)