Defendant admitted robbing a Brinks armored truck at gunpoint outside a Bank of America branch and faces a mandatory minimum seven-year prison sentence for brandishing a firearm.
BROOKLYN, N.Y. — A Brooklyn man pleaded guilty in federal court to robbing a Brinks armored truck at gunpoint outside a Queens Bank of America branch, admitting to stealing more than $500,000 during the daylight heist, officials stated this week.
David Ortiz pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo to conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.
According to prosecutors, Ortiz and an accomplice ambushed Brinks employees as they delivered cash to a Bank of America branch in Queens, threatening the guards with firearms before fleeing with approximately $542,000.
Authorities later recovered a firearm, mask, and clothing believed to have been discarded by Ortiz, but the stolen money has not been recovered. The accomplice remains at large.
Ortiz faces a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in federal prison for brandishing a firearm, in addition to any sentence imposed on the bank robbery convictions. He also faces restitution.
Quick Fact Checklist
- ✅ Defendant: David Ortiz, 49
- ✅ Court: U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
- ✅ Judge: U.S. Magistrate Judge Peggy Kuo
- ✅ Charges: Conspiracy to commit bank robbery, bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence
- ✅ Robbery Target: Brinks armored truck servicing a Bank of America branch
- ✅ Amount Stolen: Approximately $542,000
- ✅ Mandatory Minimum: Seven years in federal prison on the firearm charge
- ✅ Additional Penalties: Additional prison time and restitution
- ✅ Status of Stolen Money: Not recovered
- ✅ Accomplice: Still at large
Related News Links
- Gunman Pleads Guilty to Daytime Robbery of Brinks Armored Truck in Queens (U.S. Attorney, EDNY) DOJ press release
- Brooklyn Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing $500K From Brinks Truck BK Reader coverage