Two people died Wednesday at the Santiago airport when a dozen thieves unsuccessfully tried to steal $32.5 million that had just been unloaded from a plane from the United States.
“A load of great value had arrived on a Latam plane from Miami, which had to be withdrawn by the Brinks company, at which time the subjects broke into said place and were repelled by security officials,” said prosecutor Eduardo Baeza, to investigation charge.
As a result of the shooting, an official from the Civil Aeronautics Directorate (DGAC) died, identified as Claudio Villar Rodríguez, 45, and one of the criminals.
The thieves entered the air terminal in three vehicles, broke a gate and headed for the cargo area. Surprised, they fled and set fire to two vehicles as they fled on a nearby highway. In the frustrated robbery, a high level of preparation of the action was evidenced, according to the authorities.
“Criminals arrived with careful planning, violence and high firepower, despite which they were repelled by our officials,” Raúl Jorquera, director of the DGAC, told the press.
The criminals aspired to steal the large amount of cash that was being loaded into an armored truck. “They entered through a point away from routine aeronautical activity, that’s where they entered and that’s where they alerted” (the police), added the official.
In the middle of an act in the presidential palace of La Moneda, President Gabriel Boric regretted the incident and promised to prosecute those responsible.
“We know that security is a priority and when there is insecurity all the rest falters. These assaults could be thwarted, but at a high cost of human lives,” Boric said.
In the context of an increase in the feeling of insecurity in the country, due to the outbreak of increasingly violent crimes, the president added that his administration will focus its efforts on finding those responsible.
“From our government we are going to pursue with justice those who put the lives of our compatriots at risk. Our police officers have our full support to face this terrible evil that afflicts not only our country,” he said.
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