Mexican National Indicted For Series Of Armed Robberies With Privately Made Firearm

LAS VEGAS – A Mexican national residing in Las Vegas made his initial court appearance today for allegedly robbing four taco vendors while brandishing an unserialized privately made firearm.

“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.”

According to allegations contained in the indictment and statements made during court proceedings, Jose Manuel Arce-Martinez, 38, is a national of Mexico unlawfully residing in the United States.

As alleged, from January 21, 2025 to January 26, 2025, Arce-Martinez committed four armed robberies of restaurants and food trucks in Las Vegas. In each robbery, he brandished a privately made subcompact .40 caliber semiautomatic pistol, made in part with a Polymer80 PF940SC grip, and threatened employees. Arce-Martinez stole money from the businesses and items belonging to the employees including two cell phones, a gold necklace, a jacket, and a wallet containing debit cards, a driver’s license, and a social security card. 

Arce-Martinez is 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 prohibited person in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

United States Magistrate Judge Brenda N. Weksler scheduled a jury trial before Chief United States District Judge Andrew P. Gordon to begin on May 19, 2025.

If convicted, the maximum statutory penalty is life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Dan Cowhig is prosecuting the case.

Submit a tip about a federal crime or report a threat to the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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