City restaurant raiders planned to expand operations

THE CRIMINAL gang network that invaded 11 Panama City restaurants and robbed the establishment and its customers had planned to expand their criminal activities into the Interior and had already launched an assault on fast food in La Chorrera.

Most of the gang’s leaders who controlled the operation are now behind bars awaiting trial.

A source close to the case told La Prensa that the organization was controlled by eight adults, who selected “White”, rented vehicles and recruited minors to move in and collect the booty.

On the weekend  a white vehicle driven by a Chorillo gang leader, was shot-up near Chorrera by a rival group, killing one and injuring three.

The source said  that the research verified that the band also raided beauty salons, jewelry stores and some convenience store with the same modus operandi.

Gang members living in in El Chorrillo, Santa Ana and San Felipe, where there is less security, recruited the minors from the local community.

The Deputy Attorney General has already  filed criminal charges of crimes against eight adults detained  and seven of the 11 minors arrested are classified as witnesses

The investigation team, consisting of the Deputy Attorney General and the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ), has conducted more than 20 raids in different areas of the capital, and recovered some of the stolen items, mostly cell phones and garments.

Authorities are tracking two other adults who are suspected of being part of the gang of robbers, but so far have not been located.

According to research, some band members have been known for quite some time and have criminal records for theft and other property crimes.

The authorities have not ruled out that the number of restaurants raided by the network is over the 11 reported, as some owners do not report thefts for fear of reprisals or because their the victims were guests and not regular customers.City restaurant raiders planned to expand operations
THE CRIMINAL gang network that invaded 11Panama City restaurants and robbed the establishment and its customers had planned to expand their criminal activities into the Interior and had already launched an assault on fast food in La Chorrera.
Most of the gang’s leaders who controlled the operation are now behind bars awaiting trial.
A source close to the case told La Prensa said that the organization was controlled by eight adults, who selected “White”, rented vehicles and recruited minors to move in and collect the booty.
On the weekend a white vehicle driven by a Chorillo gang leader, was shot-up by a rival group, killing one and injuring three.
The source explained that the research was verified and that the band also raided beauty salons, jewelry stores and some convenience store with the same modus operandi.
Gang members living in in El Chorrillo, Santa Ana and San Felipe, where there is less security, selected the minors from the local community.
The Deputy Attorney General has already filed criminal charges of crimes against eight adults detained and seven of the 11 minors arrested are classified as witnesses
The investigation team, consisting of the Deputy Attorney General and the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ), has conducted more than 20 raids in different areas of the capital, and recovered some of the stolen items, mostly cell phones and garments.
Authorities are tracking two other adults who are suspected of being part of the gang of robbers, but so far have not been located.
According to research, some band members have been known for quite some time and have criminal records for theft and other property crimes.
The authorities have not ruled out that the number of restaurants raided by the network is over the 11 reported, as some owners do not report thefts for fear of reprisals or because their the victims were guests and not regular customers.