Champion Bandits: Judge Refused to Detain Suspects in 200-Sneaker Heist, But Appeals Court Overturns Decision

An appeals court has ordered the detention of two suspects in a major sneaker theft, overturning a lower court's decision. The suspects are accused of stealing around 200 pairs of sneakers, along with other items and cash, from a shoe store in Cerro. Investigators believe the thieves gained entry through a hole in a wall and a broken grate. A witness reportedly told police that a man nicknamed "Chuky" had cleared out a house where the suspects may have been, stating they "had to do a job." Police later found some of the stolen merchandise and arrested a man who received a probation sentence for receiving stolen goods. His partner admitted to helping transport the footwear and claimed she received four pairs of sneakers as payment. Another man, known as "El Niki," allegedly transported the stolen goods in a van. He admitted to the transport but claimed ignorance of the cargo's contents. During a search of "El Niki's" home, police found more stolen items, a sawed-off shotgun, and an air rifle. The prosecutor requested the detention of the woman and "El Niki," but the judge initially rejected the request, citing concerns about the voluntariness of self-incriminating statements made without a lawyer present. The appeals court disagreed, ruling that the detention orders should be issued.

“

The judge understood that the investigation was based on 'self-incriminating statements' taken in police custody without the presence of a lawyer, arguing that 'individual guarantees must be controlled against the persecutory interest of the State.'