Mass stores become new targets of robberies in South Lima

Mass stores are the target of robberies in South Lima (América Noticias)

On August 2, a group of hooded or motorcycle helmeted criminals broke into several stores of a well-known chain of minimarkets in the districts of Villa El Salvador and Villa María del Triunfo, intimidating employees and customers to steal money from the cash registers, according to the National Police of Peru (PNP).

The organization known as the “Rankeados de Villa” carried out several of these robberies on different dates, including July 31, July 3 and June 8, as recorded by video surveillance cameras at the affected establishments.

The PNP, which managed to identify the vehicle used by the criminals after conducting intelligence work, arrested three key members of the gang: Nelson Joel Valdez Corcuera, 21, with a history of aggravated robbery and illegal possession of firearms; Renato Castro Quispe, 26, known as “El Chino,” linked to aggravated robbery and theft, and Antonio Mejía Navarro, alias “El Gordo,” also with a history of aggravated robbery.

During the arrest, a revolver, 407 grams of cocaine paste and 200 grams of marijuana were seized from them, the PNP said.

“This gang has been dismantled,” a police chief told reporters, stressing that there is clear evidence of the involvement of these individuals in the crimes thanks to security camera footage. Although the accused continue to deny the facts, the captured images implicate them directly.

Robberies occur at night.

With all this evidence, the Public Prosecutor’s Office has assumed responsibility for the investigation in order to formally prosecute those involved.

The PNP continues its work to identify if there are more establishments affected by this gang, whose main modus operandi was to break into the premises at nightfall, holding employees at gunpoint and forcing customers to move to the back areas to steal money from the cash registers.

On July 31, at around 4:56 p.m., at least 14 individuals entered a minimarket in Callao, causing panic among the employees of the establishment. The incident occurred at the intersection of Sáenz Peña and Guardia Chalaca avenues, where the assailants emptied the cash register and stole various merchandise, including soft drinks and cookies, in a matter of seconds.

At least 15 people entered a minimarket in Callao | ATV

Everything was recorded thanks to the store’s security cameras. The video shows how the group entered in a hurry, heading directly to the cash register and the shelves. The workers initially backed away, but then came out to confront the criminals. One of the saleswomen was caught shouting “Grab him, grab him, grab him,” according to information gathered by ATV Noticias.

Fortunately, a police officer was in the area and managed to intervene in time. Thanks to his quick action, five of the criminals were arrested and taken to the Depincri in Callao. The National Police of Peru (PNP) does not rule out the possibility that among those arrested there are minors, and the images from the security cameras will be crucial to identify all those involved in the robbery.

The operation also had the support of Serenazgo personnel, who arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Authorities continue to conduct their work to review all records and potentially identify more people involved.