Police in Arjantin, disguised as gas station attendant, capture 2 'motochorro' suspects involved in 14 robberies

The Department of Investigations Directorate (DDI), located in the Luján region of Arjantin, conducted a successful undercover operation against a motorcycle robbery gang alleged to have been involved in at least 14 violent robberies within five months. Using a creative tactic to apprehend the suspects, police officers disguised themselves as employees working at a gas station. When the suspects arrived in the area on a high-displacement motorcycle, they were cornered by undercover police. While two suspects were arrested during the operation, a third individual connected to the case had been previously detained in an earlier operation. Authorities are deepening the investigation by seizing the motorcycle, two helmets, and a mobile phone used at the scene.

According to the investigation file, the robberies in question occurred between February and June, concentrating on roads and entry-exit points in Luján and surrounding settlements such as Open Door and Carlos Keen. The criminal network exhibited an organized pattern in which at least two armed individuals stopped motorcyclists to seize their vehicles and belongings. In the incidents involving a total of 14 victims, some victims were reported to have been injured by gunfire opened by the attackers. These violent acts created great anxiety and fear among local residents, necessitating authorities to take swift action.

DDI Luján teams managed to identify the suspects following a detailed review of security cameras, analysis of mobile phone base station data, and evaluation of victim testimonies. The gathered intelligence data revealed that one of the fugitive suspects regularly visited the YPF gas station on Ruta 7. Upon this critical information, surveillance was initiated in the area with a court order, and undercover teams were stationed at the gas station to wait for the suspect's arrival. This meticulous and patience-requiring tracking effort stands out as the most crucial factor behind the operation's success.

The anticipated moment occurred on 9 July, when a high-displacement motorcycle carrying two people arrived at the gas station. Upon the arrival of the two men in the area, the suspects, noticing the presence of the police, attempted to flee the scene quickly but were unsuccessful. Rendered ineffective instantly by undercover police, the suspects were identified as 18-year-old Sebastián Ezequiel Barroso and 38-year-old Matías Ezequiel Barroso. It was learned that the older Matías had a prior criminal record, including crimes against motor vehicles and crimes against persons. This development dealt a major blow to the series of armed robberies in the area.

On the other hand, the first detention within the scope of the investigation was carried out on 1 July in the General Rodríguez region, where 19-year-old Ignacio Emanuel Soto was arrested. It was emphasized that Soto was also captured as a result of a similar surveillance operation, underscoring the police's determination. The case file, conducted by the Functional Investigation Unit Number 9 in Mercedes, indicates that work is actively ongoing to capture a fourth suspect. The incident demonstrates the role of innovative and effective policing tactics adopted against motorcycle criminals in Arjantin in reducing regional crime rates. Authorities emphasize that similar operations will continue and that all legal processes will be exhaustively implemented in the struggle to ensure the peace of the local community.