Mobile phone of missing Argentine police officer activates in Bolivia, new lead in Villazón
The mobile telephone of Maximiliano Martínez, an Argentine Federal Police officer who disappeared on 8 September, showed activity in Villazón, Bolivia. Around 250 officers are searching the border area.
Argentine police officer's phone signals from Villazón as binational operation continues
The mobile telephone of Maximiliano Oscar Martínez, an Argentine Federal Police officer who disappeared on 8 September in the border zone with Jujuy, registered activity in Bolivian territory, according to a report from vision360.bo. The lead has reoriented the search towards Bolivia, where on that day Martínez turns 31 years old.
Alberto Omar Mendívil, prosecutor at the Preparatory Criminal Investigation Office No. 11 of La Quiaca, explained that the telephone was switched off during the first days of the operation and then showed activity in Villazón. Mendívil indicated that the lines of investigation remain open and avoided providing details so as not to compromise progress in the case.
Security cameras also provided evidence in the case. One of them captured the police officer travelling on a path that, according to the prosecutor, "takes you to Bolivia". There is no audiovisual record to date confirming that Martínez effectively crossed the border, according to a report from Red Uno.
On Friday evening, 15 raids were carried out on private residences and nighttime establishments in Villazón, none of which yielded positive results. The following day, approximately 250 officers from Argentina and Bolivia participated in search operations in the surroundings of the Horacio Guzmán International Bridge and other border sectors. The teams are searching rivers and areas of difficult access with drone support.
The search involves officers from the Jujuy Police, Argentine Federal Police, National Gendarmerie and Bolivian security forces. The La Quiaca Prosecutor's Office and Investigation Brigade maintain coordination with Bolivian prosecutors and police to exchange information and define new actions. An Interpol yellow alert remains in force to extend the search through mechanisms of international cooperation.
During search operations, a body was found in Bolivian territory. Authorities confirmed that the remains did not correspond to Martínez: it was a man of Bolivian nationality, so that country's authorities assumed responsibility for the intervention.
Martínez left his home on 8 September, shortly after 10:00, on a bicycle. His family members stated that he had told them he was heading to Villazón to do shopping and would return shortly, but he failed to make contact again. The report was filed on 10 September. His sisters are maintaining an active campaign on social media requesting the dissemination of information about the case.
The officer is approximately 1.67 metres tall, has olive-toned skin and short black hair. At the time of his disappearance he was wearing black sports trousers and grey Adidas trainers. Any information can be reported to 911, to the telephone numbers 388-6860239 and 388-6828607, or to the nearest police station.
Source: Google News AR — Crime