Feds charge 13 people in string of robberies including robbery and homicide at La Placita

BOWLING GREEN, Ky.- Thirteen people have been charged in a string of violent robberies that took place in several states and cities, including Bowling Green.

In 2017, five of the alleged robbers targeted the family-owned La Placita Market on Morgantown Road. The crime rocked the close-knit Latino community in Bowling Green.

Vanessa Jimenez who owns the store said she’s happy to see progress in her case as well as in the cases involving the other businesses.

“We’re happy for everybody who was involved in this case,” said Jimenez.

The robbers are accused of shooting and killing 31-year old Jose Cruz in front of his kids, before taking off with $22,000.

“It’s sad because you work so hard to have something, and then these people just come and take it,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez said the people came from outside of the local community and robbed the store. This is something that is still disconcerting to the Latino community in Bowling Green.

“We are good people, we try to do the right things. At the same time, it’s hard for the Hispanic community to see that these people are Hispanic,” said Jimenez.

Jimenez said things will never be the same.

“It’ll never be the same, but at least we have relief in are hearts that these people are going to be in prison,” said Jimenez.

Authorities said the robbers hit 15 businesses in North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana and Kentucky.

The names of the 13 charged include:

Jorge Santos Caballero-Melgar, 34; Jonny Alexander Reyes-Martinez, 29; Jose Adan Mejia Varela, 31; Lillian Yamileth Duron, 24; Estrellita Soto, 35; Elmer Manuel Ordonez Sanchez, 25; Elvin Fernando Lopez Sanchez, 26; Javier Alexis Mejia Varela, 27; Brandon Michael Maldonado-Caro, 25; Alex Antonio Maldonado-Rodriguez, 34; Junior Esteban Bueso, 39; Jose Javier Cedillo-Sales, 28; all of Nashville, Tenn. and Jamie Cedillo-Sales, age 23, of Snow Hill, N.C.

Eleven of the accused robbers are charged with carrying or possessing a firearm during a crime of violence; the charge carries a penalty of no more than 20 years imprisonment.

Caballero-Melgar, Reyes-Martinez, Jose Varela, Duron and Soto are charged in the indictment with interference of commerce by robbery for the March 17, 2017, robbery of La Placita in Bowling Green. The charge carries a term of imprisonment of no more than 20 years.

The grand jury further charged Caballero-Melgar, Reyes-Martinez and Jose Varela with murder through the use of a firearm during a crime of violence for the death of Jose Cruz during the robbery of La Placita. The charge carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison.

Caballero-Melgar faces an additional charge of illegal entry after deportation. Reyes-Martinez and Jose Varela are also charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm.