Colombian gang robs money changer in Cochabamba: three arrested and two fugitives at large
Three Colombians were arrested for robbing a money changer in Cochabamba on 8 October. Two suspects remain at large and police continue their search.
Criminal organisation in two groups stole $US 4,000, euros and bolivianos from money changer
Two members of a criminal organisation linked to the violent robbery of a money changer in Cochabamba remain at large, reported El Deber. Police are actively searching for them after already capturing three of their accomplices, whose detention allowed the modus operandi of the group to be reconstructed.
The robbery took place on 8 October, at around 16:00, at the corner of Arauco and Francisco Prada streets, in the city's Central zone. The victim, a 53-year-old money changer, was robbed of 4,000 dollars, 2,500 euros and 80,000 bolivianos.
Colonel Henry Ramiro Ontiveros Gambarte, departmental police commander in Cochabamba, explained that the gang operated divided into two groups. The first was responsible for identifying the victim and tracking him from his workplace to his home. The second, alerted by the first, carried out the robbery. According to Ontiveros, the attackers "assaulted the victim when he resisted, without holding back force".
The investigations, supported by surveillance cameras and witness statements, identified a blue motorcycle as a key vehicle in the operation. Its driver, Jonny M.B., was identified as the head of the criminal organisation.
The three Colombian detainees were identified as Jhonny M.B., Kevin Mauricio L.O. and Hugo L.O., all currently in custody. The two fugitives are those who, according to police, directly carried out the robbery.
As a result of the arrests related to the robbery, additional operations were carried out which led to the detention of six other people engaged in lending known as "drop by drop": among them Colombians, a Venezuelan, a Nicaraguan and two Bolivians, all suspected of having links to the criminal acts.
Several mobile phones and sums of cash money were also seized in the operations, which will be subjected to forensic examination.
"Police work continues to achieve clarification and the apprehension of the two subjects who are at large," said Colonel Ontiveros.
Source: El Deber