Perturbing Crime Wave in Surco: The Police Response
The National Police of Peru (PNP), through its Division of Robbery Investigations, recently announced the capture of a suspect linked to a criminal organization specializing in armed robbery in the district of Surco. This group had been striking fear into the community, using modern vehicles, false license plates, and electronic devices to commit their crimes and evade law enforcement.
Juan Carlos Montúfar Lezama, the head of the Division of Robbery Investigations, revealed that authorities had successfully recovered a variety of stolen items, including an Apple laptop, a Victus laptop, five mobile phones, and four counterfeit vehicle license plates. The latter played a crucial role in tracking down the criminal activities.
One of the police operations led to the recovery of stolen items, some of which belonged to minors and their families. These valuables were cleverly concealed in electrically shielded bags designed to prevent electronic tracking, making it increasingly challenging for law enforcement to monitor their movements.
Authorities report that the suspects have been clearly identified using surveillance camera footage where three armed individuals were seen threatening their victims. The primary suspect, Luis Alberto Pilares Zacarías, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering, has denied all responsibility for the seized items and materials but was unable to provide satisfactory explanations regarding them.
Pilares Zacarías’s educational background highlights the technical expertise of the gang. According to the investigation, they effectively utilized specialized knowledge to manipulate technology and coordinate their movements using vehicles with counterfeit license plates. According to Colonel Montúfar Lezama, “This is a bachelor in Computer Engineering. He is a professional, but in the mornings he studies and at night engages in these harmful activities.”
Despite the group’s attempts to block tracking and conceal their identities, effective intelligence work led to the capture of one of the key players. However, three other members remain at large and continue to elude authorities. Reports suggest that the gang committed additional robberies following the initial attack, which occurred against a minor.
According to Montúfar Lezama, the criminal organization operated under a well-planned structure and employed logistical resources to evade the authorities successfully. Members utilized modern vehicles, including Hyundai and Honda models, equipping them with fake license plates to complicate identification during their crimes.
Prior to executing each crime, the criminals carefully selected crowded areas and studied the movements of potential victims. During the assaults, they employed firearms to intimidate victims and snatch valuables such as laptops and mobile phones.
Immediately after each robbery, the gang utilized bionic bags made from magnetic materials, lined with aluminum, to conceal the stolen items and block GPS tracking signals. This move was strategic, making it harder for law enforcement to locate the stolen devices.
After every theft, they would change the license plates of the vehicles and alter their routes to evade police operations. The Division of Robbery Investigations continues to scrutinize video surveillance footage to track the gang’s movements and gather further evidence to fully identify all those involved. The recent robbery targeted a well-known businessman, who was driving his truck with his daughter and her boyfriend but requested anonymity for safety reasons.