Man detained in Asunción for machete robberies: "I feel ashamed"
Miguel Benítez Rodríguez (32) was arrested by the 2nd Metropolitan Police Station for two machete robberies in Asunción. One of the victims was a 15-year-old adolescent.
Main suspect in machete attacks in Tacumbú neighbourhood arrested
A 32-year-old man was detained in Asunción as the main suspect in at least two violent robberies committed with a machete, reports ultimahora.com. Miguel Benítez Rodríguez was taken into custody by officers from the 2nd Metropolitan Police Station following an investigation that linked both cases through security camera footage.
During the operations, the authorities confiscated a grey Hyundai HB20 car that appears recorded in the footage of both incidents. Police Commissioner Hugo Grance, one of the principal investigators, indicated that Benítez apparently took the vehicle from his mother, a retired woman, and then picked up two other men to carry out the assaults.
The first incident occurred around 12:30 on a Tuesday at the intersection of O'Leary Street and 5th Avenue, in the Tacumbú neighbourhood. According to images captured by security cameras, two occupants of the grey car got out and confronted a 15-year-old adolescent who was walking down the street. After snatching his mobile phone, one of the men dealt him a machete blow to the face.
In a second incident also recorded in the capital, the victim was Giselle Giménez, intercepted a few blocks from her home. A man threatened her with a machete and also took her mobile phone. The cameras apparently captured the same vehicle in that attack.
Following his detention, Benítez admitted to having participated in the assault on the adolescent, although he denied responsibility in the other cases. He asserted that he drove the car along with two other people and that he acted against his will, under the effects of drugs.
In a statement to the NPY channel, the detainee said: "I want to apologise, I can tell you that the boy's father is my personal friend. Hopefully he understands that it was not my intention or full will to commit that act. I feel ashamed about what happened."
Benítez further stated that he did not know the victim was his acquaintance's son. The adolescent's father spoke on the same media outlet and described the detention as a "bucket of cold water", recognising the arrested man as someone from the neighbourhood with whom he has not had contact for at least six years. He indicated that his son is in good health.
Source: Google News PY — Asunción