Bicycle-taxi operator sought for theft and threats with bladed weapon in southern Bogotá
A man operating a bicycle taxi allegedly stole a woman's backpack and threatened with a bladed weapon those who attempted to help her. Authorities are seeking information from the public.
Search for man operating bicycle taxi following theft with bladed weapon in Bogotá
Bogotá authorities are seeking to identify a man accused of stealing a woman's backpack and threatening with a bladed weapon those who attempted to intervene, according to semana.com. The incident occurred at carrera 6B with calle 4 Sur and was recorded on video.
The images show a woman struggling with a person. During the altercation, a man who was travelling in a bicycle taxi allegedly took the victim's backpack. When other citizens attempted to intervene, the subject allegedly drew a bladed weapon that he was carrying in the vehicle in order to intimidate them.
Activation of institutional channels
The Special Administrative Unit for Public Services (UAESP) reported that, after becoming aware of the audiovisual material, it activated coordination channels with the District Secretariat for Security, Coexistence and Justice, local mayoralties and the Bogotá Metropolitan Police. The objective is to achieve the full identification, location and eventual prosecution of the alleged perpetrators.
The Secretariat of Security also circulated images of the man and requested assistance from the public to establish his whereabouts. Those with information can contact the 123 Line under strict confidentiality.
The UAESP jacket raised questions
A detail that particularly drew attention in the recordings is that the man was wearing a jacket related to the UAESP, which initially raised doubts about a possible employment link with the entity.
The UAESP clarified that the garment corresponds to old apparel and does not bear the identification of an authorised waste-recycling organisation. For that reason, the jacket does not allow it to be established that the subject currently has a link with the entity, which makes his immediate traceability difficult through the census of professional recyclers.
The entity rejected the acts of violence and crime recorded in the video and asked for stigmatisation of professional waste recyclers to be avoided.
Investigation ongoing
For now, the man's identity has not been confirmed publicly. The investigation must establish his participation and corresponding responsibilities for the acts recorded in the sector.
Any information that permits locating the subject can be reported through official channels, so that authorities can verify the data and determine the responsibilities in the case.
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá