Sometimes, justice finds a surprising route, even when a criminal tries to escape. This was the case for a 41-year-old man who recently found himself behind bars. He faced charges for seven bus robberies, including four aggravated ones and one attempt. Authorities sent him to preventive prison for 120 days. This period allows investigators to continue their work.
The story began on August 19, at six in the morning, in the Villa Española area. This 41-year-old man, already with ten prior criminal records, boarded a Route 174 bus headed for Aviación. He got on at the corner of Larravide and Tomás Claramunt. The man then pulled out a toy gun. He demanded money from the bus driver, who was the same age as him. "Give me everything or I’ll hurt you," he threatened.
But things did not go as planned for the robber. The driver bravely fought back, engaging the man in a struggle. Passengers quickly stepped in to help. They disarmed the robber, took his toy gun, and then held him down. They even delivered some blows to restrain him. They kept him secured until the police arrived.
Due to the injuries he sustained during the struggle, the man was taken to Pasteur Hospital. He stayed there for treatment. However, a legal issue arose: the 48-hour limit for police detention was about to expire because of his hospitalization. So, the Public Prosecutor’s Office had to order his release from custody. This meant he no longer had police guarding him.
Instead of waiting to be discharged, the man saw an opportunity. He simply walked out of the hospital, escaping. This happened just last Wednesday, according to a report by News Agency. Investigators from the Zone III Bus Seguro unit quickly learned of his escape. They immediately launched a new search.
Their hunt did not last long. Police found the man sitting in a plaza. This park was near José Pedro Varela and Larrañaga, also in Villa Española. Officers were already investigating him for six other bus robberies. These had occurred in July and August. With this new arrest and a pile of evidence, he was brought before the justice system. The court then ordered his preventive detention.