Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Colombian bank robbers offer Peru police $20,000 to let them go

Living in Peru
Israel J. Ruiz

Agents from a special forces unit of Peru's national police caught four criminals in the Lima district of La Victoria on Monday as they were preparing to rob a bank.

The delinquents were all from Colombia and were responsible for a series of thefts as well as several armed robberies in the country's capital.

One of their many victims was Ricardo Gareca, head coach for one of Peru's top football clubs.

The four Colombians were part of a gang that had been committing crimes throughout the city for the past several months. Among their victims was Coach Gareca, who was robbed for $8,000 and his laptop.

31-year-old Jorge Eléicer Hernández, a.k.a. 'pelón'; Gilberto Salgado Carbajal (23), Juan Carlos Uribe Valencia (25) and Edgard Rivera Celis (21) were arrested on the first blocks of Nicolas Arriola Avenue in La Victoria.

According to police, the four thieves did not resist arrest and admitted to having committed the crimes they were accused of. On the other hand, they attempted to bribe officers with $20,000.

"They offered agents $20,000 if they would immediately let them go," said Carlos Remi, chief of the special forces unit. Semi-automatic weapons and revolvers were confiscated from the men.

It was reported that the gang was preparing to hold up a bank.

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# FLDC says :
24 June, 2008 [ 19:05 ]

They did not offer the police enough money - silly robbers- I say this as a peruvian myself - before I get accused by anyone for being anti-peruvian or something.

# Splaktar says :
24 June, 2008 [ 22:12 ]

There must have been too many police for them to split the money or they didn't have the cash available.  I can't imagine a Peruvian police officer turning down $20k.

I think it's more likely that the police accused them of bribing them just to add more charges even though the criminals didn't do it.

# notfair says :
25 June, 2008 [ 08:50 ]

Why most people think that Peruvian police officers are corrupt? there are some who want to change local police's image, so let's not talk in general... bye

# Splaktar says :
25 June, 2008 [ 09:01 ]

There are some good police in Peru, but not nearly enough.  Many of the police who aren't corrupt, are just lazy and incompetent.  They sit around watching soccer on TV or listening to it on the radio and joking all day long rather than working.

And I don't 'think', I know from numerous personal experiences that many police officers in Peru are corrupt and lazy.

# notfair says :
25 June, 2008 [ 09:27 ]

I also know police officers that have to work overtime and do not receive even 5 soles to eat something (for example during the EU-LAC Summit days) it's easy to say they have to work their ass off to serve us but let's consider as well that they are not provided with proper police equipment/gear...

# danidanado says :
25 June, 2008 [ 11:46 ]

It does seem suspicious that the police claim the defendants admitted to the previous crimes as well as the bribe offer.  I agree, either they didn't have the money or it's a lie.  20K is enough to bribe a trainload of cops.  Not fair is also right in that police don't have enough encentives to be honest.  Fair wages and benefits plus better safety equipment and transportation would help.  It's coming, but will take awhile. I know an Englishman who got busted five times trying to buy some pot. Each time an undercover sold him a bag then the PN's would nab him.  Each time the bag cost 50 soles and the bribe 50 bucks.  Each time the cops gave him back the pot. " Viva Peu!" he says it's part of the charm!

# Splaktar says :
25 June, 2008 [ 12:13 ]

Yes, the gov't is certainly at fault for the poor performance and equipping of the police force.  But also the numerous businesses who operate cash only and do not pay taxes, are responsible for stealing money that could be used to fund better police service.

I personally know police officers who are good and do their best to get rid of corrupt police here in Peru.  They have been assaulted by other police officers (masked), robbed, and threatened to leave them alone 'or else'.  It's not easy being a clean cop here in Peru.

# notfair says :
25 June, 2008 [ 13:18 ]

I totally agree with you guys...