At 400 Chacabuco Street, in the municipality of San Isidro, an underground tunnel was discovered, presumably intended for a bank robbery. It is unclear how long this tunnel, which features particularly advanced architecture, had been under construction or who built it. The discovery astonished the police, local authorities, and residents, as well as Sebastián García Bolster, the engineer associated with the renowned “Robbery of the Century.” He emphasized the “neatness” of the construction, describing it as something out of a movie.
The tunnel is approximately three meters wide and 150 meters long and is located within a short walking distance of a Banco Macro branch, less than a hundred meters away, which was the intended target. A delivery driver passed by in his vehicle and noticed a thick metal rod, about 25 centimeters tall, protruding from the cobblestones. This occurred on Wednesday around 9:30 AM. He immediately alerted the bank’s security personnel, who then contacted the 1st Section of San Isidro. The municipality’s Secretariat of Environment and Public Space, responsible for overseeing public service interventions on the street, also conducted an inspection.
Following the joint operation, which confirmed that there were no issues with the alarm system, work began to investigate the origin of the rods. After digging nearly three meters and discovering that the metal rod extended even deeper, a judicial investigation was initiated by the San Isidro General Prosecutor’s Office, with assistance from the Municipal Civil Defense.
It was ultimately determined that the tunnel leads to a warehouse located at 500 Chacabuco. Inside the chosen warehouse for the tunnel’s entrance, a mine had been operating for some time as an auto repair shop specializing in injection systems for both domestic and imported vehicles. In this location, plastic bags filled with the excavated earth were discovered. Furthermore, a significant amount of dirt was present inside, along with machinery for excavating soil. This is where the digging occurred, with a wooden staircase erected and work beginning. Various items typical of excavation were found around the tunnel’s entrance.
The criminals were only five meters away from completing the tunnel to enter the bank branch. Investigators suspect that “something happened,” leading them to believe “they may have panicked” or “were discovered before the robbery could take place.” Various videos show a “perfectly” made path with wooden walls and even lighting fixtures installed at intervals.
Additionally, sources in the case indicated that mattresses were also found inside the tunnel, leading them to estimate that the group had been working at night or in the early morning hours for several months, possibly even a year.
Given the severity of the situation, San Isidro Attorney General John Broyad and Mayor Ramón Lanús visited the scene, and a security service was established in the area. Neighbors began to recall unusual movements that might be connected to the construction of the tunnel.
“The tunnel is something never seen before. It is a true ‘work of engineering.’ Everything was perfectly calculated,” reported a source who visited the area shortly after the discovery.
About the alarms
According to experts, every bank has a series of alarms installed throughout its premises, all connected to a network and the monitoring center. Among the most recognized is the geothermal model, which detects abnormal movements based on body heat.
The most innovative alarm, implemented after the “Robbery of the Century,” is a seismic sensor located one meter from the bank entrance. This alarm detects underground movements in the event of someone attempting to enter a branch through a tunnel.
One hypothesis proposed by investigators to explain why the robbery was disrupted suggests that the criminals likely stopped upon realizing the existence of these alarms. It is also being considered that they may have been discovered beforehand.
A revival of the “Robbery of the Century”
In 2006, Fernando Araujo, Sebastián García Bolster, Rubén Alberto de la Torre, Julián Zalloechevarría, and Luis Mario Vitette Sellanes executed one of the most extravagant heists in the country—so much so that it was later made into a film—stealing $19 million in jewelry and cash from the Río bank branch in Acassuso.
For months, they worked on constructing a tunnel that ended at the vault wall, from which they made their escape after the robbery. Despite taking 23 hostages, including customers and employees who were coerced for several hours, there were no injuries or significant incidents.
“In a wealthy neighborhood, without weapons or animosity, it’s just about money and no love,” wrote all five of them on a piece of paper before fleeing through the tunnel, where they also left behind the toy guns they used. However, some time later, one of the robbers’ partners betrayed them upon discovering that her husband intended to escape to another country with the money and a mistress.
In 2010, Oral Court No. 1 of San Isidro sentenced Araujo, García Bolster, de la Torre, and Zalloechevarría to prison terms ranging from 9 to 15 years, while Vitette faced a longer sentence. Four years later, all regained their freedom after the Criminal Court of Appeal reduced their sentences.
García Bolster’s remarks
In light of the news, the engineer of the 2006 plan, García Bolster, acknowledged the precision observed in the San Isidro tunnel: “It’s striking how neat the tunnel is.” When asked about the robbery he participated in, he clarified that in his case, the construction was not intended “to go through the vault, but was merely an escape route.”
Regarding the alarm system at that time, the engineer noted that various security measures were already in place, though they have since become more sophisticated: “During our work, we triggered the seismic sensor multiple times, but no actions were taken; the company merely placed a sticker and did not conduct an investigation.“
García Bolster explained that the planning for his robbery took two years, while a year was spent attempting to penetrate the bank. He also admitted that he was not involved for a month due to conflicts with the group: “They called me at the time because they lacked the knowledge and were unsure about where they were digging. They feared they might break through the slab of a house instead of the bank wall.”
The notable fact
Luis Mario Vitette Sellanes referenced the dug tunnel on social media, asserting that “there is a notable fact.” “I’ll just say that it’s more similar to the robbery at the Nación on Cabildo Street than the one at Banco Río in Acassuso, except for one crucial detail that connects them. The end.” he posted on his X social media account.
The robbery he refers to occurred in 2011 at the Banco Provincia in the Belgrano neighborhood of Buenos Aires, where a gang gained access through a hole in the walls and floor created with carpets, along with a ventilation and lighting system. They then forced entry into between 130 and 140 safety deposit boxes.
He also discussed the potential charges that could be brought against those responsible: “Preparatory acts are actions taken prior to committing a crime that aim to facilitate it.”
“In principle, preparatory acts are not punishable unless they constitute a crime in themselves,” he added, explaining the concept of “iter criminis”: “It is the pathway to crime, consisting of the following stages: idea, preparation (both are part of the principle of reserve), execution, consummation, and exhaustion.”
In this context, Vitette, now based in Uruguay, emphasized that the prosecutor must assess when the execution phase begins while noting, “one could argue the possibility of voluntary withdrawal due to its power of cancellation.”
“The prosecutor is likely to request charges for attempted robbery. Tell him to call me, and you and I can talk them out of it. Enough said.” he continued.
Discovery of an Underground Tunnel on Chacabuco Street: A Planned Bank Heist Foiled
A surprising find on Chacabuco Street at 400 in San Isidro has taken both the police and residents by shock: an underground tunnel presumed to be built for a bank robbery. The tunnel, known for its sophisticated architecture, raises questions about its creators and how long it had been under construction.
The Tunnel: Structure and Location
The tunnel stretches approximately three meters wide and 150 meters long and is located disturbingly close to a Banco Macro branch, just under a hundred meters away. The operation began with a delivery driver noticing thick metal rods jutting out of the street cobblestones on a Wednesday morning around 9:30 AM. His immediate notification to security sparked a swift response from local authorities and the San Isidro police.
Following a collaborative investigation, it was discovered that these rods were just the tip of the iceberg. Digging into the area revealed that the tunnel leads to a warehouse at Chacabuco 500, previously operating as an auto repair shop specializing in injection systems for various vehicles.
Intriguing Findings at the Warehouse
Investigators found plastic bags filled with the excavated earth and noted the presence of heavy machinery designed for digging. A wooden staircase was set up inside the warehouse, further indicating the magnitude of the theft operation. The criminals were reportedly mere five meters from completing the tunnel to infiltrate the bank vault. However, investigators are puzzled about what went wrong, speculating that something may have spooked the thieves.
Video footage showcased a carefully crafted path within the tunnel, complete with wooden reinforcements and even lighting fixtures installed at intervals. Sources claim that several mattresses were found within the tunnel, leading to the belief that the heist crew had likely been working on the project nocturnally for several months or even a year.
Authorities Respond to the Situation
The serious nature of this tunnel’s discovery prompted the Attorney General of San Isidro, John Broyad, and Mayor Ramón Lanús to examine the site. A security presence was established in the vicinity as local residents began to piece together suspicious activities that now seemed linked to the tunnel’s construction.
Understanding Bank Security Measures
Any bank typically has a variety of alarms integrated into its system. Among the modern solutions are:
- Geothermal Alarms: These detect unusual movements based on body heat.
- Seismic Sensors: More recently implemented, these sensors are placed close to a bank’s entrance to detect underground movements that might signify a tunnel dig.
Experts theorize that the existence of alarms could explain the failed robbery attempt, suggesting that the criminals either paused upon realizing the security measures in place or were unintentionally uncovered beforehand.
A Flashback to the “Robbery of the Century”
In 2006, a notorious gang pulled off what has been dubbed the “Robbery of the Century.” Comprised of individuals like Fernando Araujo, Sebastián García Bolster, and Luis Mario Vitette Sellanes, this gang successfully stole $19 million in valuables from the Río bank in Acassuso. The execution involved constructing a tunnel that led directly into the vault.
The audacity of their plan captured public attention, as they took hostages, yet no serious injuries were reported. Thirteen hours later, they made their escape through the tunnel, leaving behind toy weapons and a chilling message: “In a rich neighborhood, without weapons or resentment, it’s just money and no love.”
The Insight from Engineers
Following the recent tunnel discovery, retired engineer Sebastián García Bolster expressed admiration for the neatness of the work. He distinguished between his earlier operation and this new tunnel, noting that his efforts were focused on a means of escape rather than direct infiltration.
Garcia Bolster recounted how his robbery preparation lasted two years, with a significant portion invested in construction. He mentioned that various security measures existed back then, although they were less advanced compared to today’s standards.
The Wider Implications of This Discovery
The tunnel failure is making waves within criminal circles, especially given its sophistication and the lengths to which the perpetrators went. Following the discovery of the tunnel in San Isidro, many speculated about the future of similar heist attempts.
In light of this, former robber Luis Mario Vitette Sellanes weighed in on the situation via X (formerly Twitter). He remarked that this recent excavation bears more similarities to a previous bank heist than to their legendary 2006 operation, hinting at unresolved issues in understanding planned burglaries.
Legal Considerations
The activities leading up to the robbery can be classified under preparatory acts, which are generally punishable given they constitute an attempt to commit a crime. Understanding the iter criminis process—consisting of the stages of idea, preparation, execution, and consummation—is crucial to forming a legal approach to this case.
What Lies Ahead for the Thieves?
As this incident continues to unravel, local authorities are facing the challenge of apprehending the criminals behind this failed bank heist. The thorough investigation, unique findings, and community engagement could prove essential in not only capturing the culprits but ensuring such intricate plans are foiled in the future before they can manifest.
How this incident will influence future bank security protocols and public perception remains to be seen. This situation could embody a larger narrative surrounding urban crime trends and criminal ingenuity.
