In the early hours of Friday, a daring heist unfolded at a pharmacy located on Bulevar Artigas and Garibaldi, in the La Comercial area of Montevideo. The culprits smashed the facade’s glass and made a beeline for a display case containing perfumes, which they promptly stole. According to sources from the Ministry of Interior, the thieves utilized at least two vehicles, both of which were later seized. Furthermore, one suspect is currently in custody, and some of the stolen merchandise has been recovered.
This incident is the latest in a string of burglaries targeting pharmacies in the region, with the perpetrators employing a modus operandi that has been dubbed “piranha-style” robberies. The method involves multiple individuals arriving on motorcycles, swiftly dismounting, and smashing store windows to gain access to valuable merchandise. They then make a quick getaway on their vehicles, which often lack license plates, making it difficult for authorities to track them down.
Just earlier this week, on Tuesday night, a similar incident occurred at a pharmacy in Lagomar. Four accomplices burst into the store, breaking display cases to steal 40 high-end perfumes, while another four waited outside, revving their motorcycle engines. This brazen robbery was preceded by a similar incident on Sunday night, where eight individuals, arriving on at least four motorcycles, targeted a Farmashop pharmacy located on Avenida Italia and Presidente Berro. The entire incident was captured on film by a bystander, providing valuable evidence for investigators.
In another instance, just 24 hours prior, thieves struck in Plaza Italia, smashing windows to steal goods from a pharmacy and a technology store. The stolen items often end up being sold on the black market, primarily through social media platforms. As a result of these string of robberies, the police conducted raids in MalvÃn Norte, detaining three individuals, two of whom were implicated in the “piranha-style” robberies in the MalvÃn area.
The authorities are working diligently to crack down on these organized robbery rings, and the investigation is ongoing. As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the community remains on high alert, and the police are determined to bring those responsible to justice. With the rise of these coordinated heists, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The fight against crime is an ongoing battle, and it requires the collective effort of law enforcement, community members, and responsible citizens to safeguard the city’s neighborhoods and businesses.