TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution today secured lifetime prison sentences for the lead ninja robber in a crime ring that terrorized homeowners in Collier and Orange counties. Andres Perez was previously found guilty on 34 charges related to home invasions.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “These so-called ninja robbers will attack Florida homes no more. I am proud of my Statewide Prosecutors and our law enforcement partners for investigating, arresting and securing long prison sentences for these home invaders who terrorized Floridians. Anyone that would inflict this type of terror on their fellow Floridians has no place in our society, and we can all rest a little easier knowing the members of this crime ring are doing hard-time behind bars—where they belong.”
Perez and co-defendants entered homes through unlocked doors wearing masks and dressed in black. They then tied up occupants using duct tape or zip ties, and forced them to lead the robbers through the homes to find valuables such as jewelry and cash.
In October, the jury found Perez guilty of 18 counts of kidnapping with intent to commit a felony, six counts of home invasion robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, four counts of dealing in stolen property, three counts of carjacking with a firearm or deadly weapon, and one count of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm.
20th Circuit Court Judge Joseph Foster sentenced Perez to concurrent life sentences on all 18 kidnapping counts, life sentences on all home invasion robbery charges, life sentences on all carjacking with a firearm charges, a 30 year sentence for racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering, a 30 year sentence for aggravated battery with a firearm and 15 year sentences on all dealing in stolen property charges.
Authorities arrested Perez and the other two co-defendants, Henry Contreras and Johnathan Contreras, in May 2014. Earlier this year, Henry and Johnathan Contreras pleaded guilty to home-invasion related charges for crimes in Collier and Orange counties, and received 45-year prison sentences.
For more information on the other two ninja robbers’ sentencings, click here.
