Police operation in Santa Cruz yields ten arrests following spate of robberies
Agents from UTOP and Felcc intervened in the ecological corridor of the fourth ring after reports of armed robberies against passengers and pedestrians.
Police operation in Santa Cruz yields ten arrests following spate of robberies
Officers from the Tactical Operations Unit and Felcc carried out a raid in the ecological corridor of the fourth ring of Santa Cruz, where they captured around ten individuals suspected of involvement in violent assaults against citizens. The intervention came after weeks of complaints from residents and victims reporting an escalation of robberies in the area.
The uniformed officers combed through the wooded area and located several people living in poorly constructed shacks hidden among the vegetation. During the search, agents apprehended at least ten suspects who will be questioned over thefts committed with knives and firearms.
The operation was triggered following an incident that occurred Wednesday night, when two assailants armed with knives boarded a minibus travelling along the fourth ring and robbed a student. The attackers threatened the young man with taking his life if he did not hand over his belongings, making off with his laptop computer. After the robbery, the thieves ran to take refuge among the trees of the ecological corridor.
The victim's father explained that his son was travelling in the collective vehicle when the criminals boarded the unit and intimidated him to steal from him. Faced with the lack of an immediate response, food delivery workers who were passing by the area decided to organise themselves and entered the green area to track down the perpetrators. However, upon entering they were met with hostility by individuals who emerged from the bushes and shouted threats at them.
Residents of the sector asserted that the absence of street lighting at night turns the place into a breeding ground for crime. Armed individuals take advantage of the darkness to ambush pedestrians and motorists, stripping them of their valuables.
The information was published by the media outlet El Deber. Police authorities will maintain a presence in the area to prevent further criminal incidents.
Source: El Deber