Man jumps into Fucha River to flee after $60 million robbery of elderly citizen in Bogotá
A 25-year-old man was captured in the Ramajal neighbourhood after throwing himself into the Fucha River to evade police. He had been accused of stealing $60 million from a 65-year-old citizen in San Cristóbal.
Captured in Fucha River following $60 million robbery of elderly citizen in San Cristóbal
A 25-year-old man attempted to escape from police by jumping into the Fucha River in southern Bogotá after being identified as one of those responsible for the theft of $60 million from a 65-year-old citizen. This was reported by extrategiamedios.com, according to information from the Bogotá Metropolitan Police.
The incident occurred this past weekend in the Ramajal neighbourhood, in the San Cristóbal district. The victim had withdrawn the cash from a banking entity in the 20 de Julio sector. Three men travelling on two motorcycles allegedly followed her until they intercepted her, threatened her with a firearm and robbed her of the cash.
Residents of the area immediately notified the authorities, who deployed an operation in the zone. Officers identified one of the suspects, who attempted to flee upon noticing the police presence. In an attempt to avoid capture, the man jumped into the Fucha River; police continued pursuing and intercepted him metres further ahead.
Lieutenant Colonel Cristian Velásquez Rivera, commander of the San Cristóbal Police Station, highlighted that the community alert was decisive in locating the suspect and securing his capture. According to the officer, the detainee has a criminal record for offences including homicide and aggravated theft. The authorities clarified that such records do not, by themselves, constitute proof of criminal convictions.
The 25-year-old man was remanded to the competent authorities and brought before a judge of the Republic, who imposed a custody measure in a custodial establishment while the legal proceedings advance. The legal situation of the other two alleged participants in the robbery has not been clarified by available official information, nor has it been confirmed whether the $60 million was recovered.
An additional matter revealed by the authorities concerns the security measures available before the robbery. The banking entity where the victim made the withdrawal had offered police escort for the transfer of the money; the citizen decided not to use the service.
The authorities revisited this point to remind citizens that they can request police escort when conducting operations involving large cash sums, as a measure to reduce the risk of robberies under the modality known as "fleteo".
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá