'Los Buitres' gang arrested in Bogotá for kidnapping of seven-year-old girl during vehicle theft
Six members of 'Los Buitres', engaged in violent robbery of high-end vehicles, were sent to prison following five months of investigation.
'Los Buitres' criminal group dismantled in Bogotá following kidnapping of minor during van robbery
According to bogota.gov.co, Bogotá Police, in coordination with the Office of the Prosecutor General and district authorities, arrested six alleged members of the criminal organisation known as 'Los Buitres', accused of violent robbery of high-end vehicles in various districts of the capital. The six detainees are now held in prison.
The incident that triggered the investigation occurred on 6 April 2026 in the Suba district, when criminals violently robbed the owner of a van and fled with the vehicle, unaware that a seven-year-old girl was travelling inside. That same night, Police located and rescued the minor, who was returned to her parents, and recovered the vehicle.
The Mayor of Bogotá, Carlos Fernando Galán, characterised the episode severely: "Kidnapping a child is one of the most serious crimes there is. As a society we all have to come together so that there is effective punishment, and any criminal who uses violence and targets children must pay for that."
Five months of investigation and over 100 hours of video
The investigative process extended over five months and included the analysis of more than 100 hours of video footage, telephone interceptions, identifications through photograph albums, interviews with victims and searches in databases. The arrest operation involved four search and seizure operations in the neighbourhoods of Porvenir and Parques in Bogotá, in the Bosa district, and in the Muzú neighbourhood in Puente Aranda.
The commander of Bogotá Police, General Giovanni Cristancho Zambrano, clarified the nature of the crime: "It is not simply robbery, it is kidnapping, because what they committed was a kidnapping. It was five months of investigation in which the GAULA developed all its technical and human capabilities so that this case would not go unpunished."
Prior surveillance of victims and network of clandestine car parks
According to authorities, members of 'Los Buitres' carried out observation and surveillance work on their potential victims to identify routines, places of residence and movements before executing the robberies. Allegedly carrying firearms, they intercepted individuals, intimidated them and in some cases temporarily detained them to seize the vehicles.
The high-end vans were transported to clandestine car parks, warehouses and properties used as storage centres, where the identification systems were allegedly altered to facilitate their illegal sale. According to the investigation, some vehicles would be sent towards Norte de Santander, whilst others were destined for the illegal car parts business. The organisation allegedly participated in at least five robberies under this modus operandi.
The arrested individuals and profile of the ringleader
Among those detained are alias 'Homero', identified as the head of the organisation; alias 'Costeño', who allegedly carried out coordination functions; and alias 'El Flaco', identified as participating directly in some of the robberies.
The District Secretary for Security, Coexistence and Justice, César Restrepo, warned about the profile of 'Homero': "He would not only have participated in the kidnapping of the girl: he also exploited minors to commit crimes. As a society, we cannot continue to postpone this discussion: when children are used and violence is exercised to commit crimes, sanctions must be more severe. Minors are to be protected, not exploited."
Seizures and judicial measures
During the search operations, three computers, six mobile devices and ammunition were seized. Police estimate that the operation affected the criminal revenue of the organisation by approximately 200 million pesos monthly.
The six arrested individuals were turned over to the Office of the Prosecutor General, with charges of conspiracy to commit crime, robbery and simple kidnapping. A judge of the Republic imposed a measure of detention in prison.
The authorities invite the public to report any criminal activity through the Emergency Line 123.
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá