Police dismantle Peruvian-Bolivian gang over aggravated robbery in Villa San Antonio, La Paz
The FELCC arrested four members of a mixed Peruvian-Bolivian gang accused of aggravated robbery in Villa San Antonio. One was captured whilst attempting to flee to Peru.
Four detained for armed robbery in La Paz; one attempted to flee to Peru
The Special Force to Fight Crime (FELCC) in La Paz arrested four members of a gang made up of Peruvian and Bolivian citizens, accused of aggravated robbery in the Villa San Antonio area, according to lapatria.bo.
The robbery occurred on Tuesday, 22 September on 9th Street, where six subjects in a burgundy-coloured Toyota Caldina intercepted a woman as she was arriving at her home and stole a substantial sum of money from her. To avoid being pursued during their escape, the criminals used firearms. The vehicle, which had its roof covered with white fabric to hinder its identification, was later seized by the FELCC.
One of the four arrested was detained whilst attempting to cross the border into Peru. In his possession was found a 9 millimetre calibre firearm which, according to authorities, had been used during the robbery. As part of the operations, Bs 5,970 and $us 1,000 were also recovered.
Police chief Adrián Álvarez confirmed the arrests at a press conference and clarified the transnational composition of the group: "It is a gang that has unfortunately been operating in the commission of these crimes; it is made up of subjects of Peruvian and Bolivian nationality". Álvarez added that investigations point to determining whether the same group participated in other robberies committed in the city.
The four detainees will be placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry, which will establish the degree of participation of each one in the crimes. Álvarez stressed that the Bolivian Police will reinforce its presence in the affected neighbourhoods and that the institution will not tolerate criminal organisations generating fear amongst the citizenry.
Source: Google News BO — La Paz