Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of JUSTIN TORRES, 30, and JOSHUA GOMEZ, 33, for the gunpoint, home invasion robbery of a 56-year-old woman and her 5-year-old grandson in their Harlem apartment. TORRES and GOMEZ are charged with four counts of Robbery in the First Degree, three counts of Robbery in the Second Degree, and three counts of Burglary in the First Degree, in addition to Endangering the Welfare of a Child.[1]
“As alleged, these two men utterly terrified a woman and her young grandchild when they burst into their home, threatened them at gunpoint, and tore apart the apartment before stealing a safe and numerous items of value,” said District Attorney Bragg. “This investigation is ongoing, and we will seek full accountability for this horrific home invasion.”
According to court documents and statements made on the record in court, at approximately 12:30 a.m. on October 9, 2024, the defendants entered the victims’ Harlem building after arriving in TORRES’ car. They pushed their way into the apartment, both displaying a firearm, and held the woman and her grandson at gunpoint demanding to know where the safe was. They searched the apartment and stole several items, including a safe, cash, passports, her cell phone, and a purse. The defendants left and went to TORRES’ apartment building.
TORRES and GOMEZ were arrested following a joint investigation, which remains ongoing, by the NYPD and the Manhattan D.A.’s Office.
Assistant D.A. Danielle Turcotte is handling the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Robert Ferrari (Chief of Trial Bureau 40) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division), and with the assistance of Trial Preparation Assistant Laila Skramstad.
District Attorney Bragg thanked the NYPD, particularly Detective Alexis Gaton of the Central Robbery Division, and the members of the Central Robbery Division, Manhattan Robbery Squad, and 28th Precinct Patrol and Detective Squad.
Defendant Information
JOSHUA GOMEZ
Bronx, NY
Charges:
- Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, four counts
- Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, three counts
- Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony, three counts
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, one count
JUSTIN TORRES
Bronx, NY
Charges:
- Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, four counts
- Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, three counts
- Burglary in the First Degree, a class B felony, three counts
- Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a class A misdemeanor, one count
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[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.