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Published Monday, March 1, 2021
Jailed men as suspects of
Police School robbery
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Ministry of Public Security reported that an investigation was launched to find those responsible for stealing weapons and ammunition from the National Police School on Saturday.
On Sunday, ministry officials arrested three men as suspect of being linked to a gang in the robbery. They were in a house in Pococí Canton, where the weapons were hidden.
According to the brief information provided by the ministry, the unusual case happened at dawn on Saturday when a gang of armed men entered the academy facilities.
The thieves allegedly managed to disarm the officers who were guarding the security entry points, then robbed at least 15 firearms, 10 Sig Sauer rifles, several bulletproof vests, chargers, ammunition, and several walkie-talkies.
Investigators believe at least six heavily armed men dressed in black wearing hoodies entered the academy. They attacked four police officers, one of whom had to be transferred to a public hospital.
According to Luis Carlos Castillo, Vice Minister of Security, very strange events happened precisely that day.
"For that weekend something particular happened because all the students of the academy were on a day off, so the operational capacity of the academy was reduced," Castillo said.
Approximately four officers were guarding the area where the gang entered, the rest of the officers were guarding different surroundings of the academy.
The assault was not recorded because the police academy does not have a video surveillance system.
"The Ministry of Public Security will initiate an internal investigation, while the judicial authorities (referring to the Judicial Investigation Organization) have already taken up the case," the ministry said in its statement.
The suspects were taken to the cells of the Public Ministry where they were interrogated by the judicial agents and after that, they must wait until a judge orders the pre-trial measures against them.
The video recorded by the police of the
arrest can be reached at the Ministry of Security Facebook page.
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How should the police academy take more security measures to prevent theft? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com
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