Two men were detained in Independencia, in the department of Guairá, on suspicion of being connected to at least four criminal incidents involving aggravated robberies that mainly targeted German families and citizens in the region.
Derlis Gustavo Almada Benítez, 36, and Blasido Paredes Ojeda, 44, were located on a local road in Santo Domingo, in the district of Independencia. The investigation began after a 40-year-old German citizen was robbed in Santa Cecilia, where money and cellphones were taken.
Based on that case, investigators reached a property linked to Almada Benítez. The site was searched under a court order on the morning of August 28, on the orders of Judge Porfirio Martínez López, as part of an investigation led by prosecutor Rocío Rivas into an alleged aggravated robbery.
Firearms and homemade weapons were seized at the residence, including a .45-caliber pistol, a Taurus pistol, a .22-caliber revolver and a homemade .22-caliber rifle. Investigators also found two air rifles, a Taiwanese-made air pistol, imitation pistols, ammunition of various calibers, cellphones, a tablet, a 64 GB memory card, a SIM card, binoculars, a backpack and tools.
The clothing collected included two ninja masks, gloves, a military-style cap, dark trousers, a green sweater and a black jacket. Images from security cameras showing previous robberies reportedly contain similarities between the clothing worn during the crimes and the items found, but that comparison remains part of the investigation.
Commissioner Jorge Mazzacotte, head of the Department of Investigation of Punishable Offenses of Guairá, said that some of the evidence was identified by people affected by previous robberies. This reportedly included an air rifle allegedly taken from a hardware store in Independencia.
Investigators are also examining a robbery against a German family in the locality of 3 de Noviembre, in Paso Yobái, and another at a hardware store in the Independencia colony. New images are being reviewed to determine whether the detainees may be linked to other crimes.
After their detention, Almada Benítez and Paredes Ojeda were taken for medical examinations at the Independencia District Hospital and then transferred to the 14th Melgarejo Police Station. They remain at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor's Office, while the allegations must be assessed as the investigation proceeds and any formal charges are considered.