Chilean couple, alleged safe-cracking experts, arrested in Paraguay

Police in Paraguay have arrested two Chilean citizens accused of being sophisticated thieves specializing in high-value robberies. Sebastián Escobedo and Alejandra Monardes were apprehended in Asunción and Mariano Roque Alonso, respectively.

Authorities believe the pair are responsible for at least five aggravated theft incidents in the Central region. Their alleged modus operandi involves bypassing security systems to target safes and ATMs. In one recent attempt, they reportedly failed to breach a commercial establishment's safe but instead stole three 25-kilogram barrels of pre-anesthetic drug, each valued at approximately $7,000 USD.

During the arrests, police confiscated a range of advanced technical equipment. This included signal jammers designed for scanning and emptying ATMs, cutting tools, mobile phones, a banner from a banking entity, and a gold Toyota Funcargo vehicle. Investigators noted that the pair's methods matched those used in previous unsolved cases.

According to police reports, Escobedo and Monardes are considered highly dangerous individuals, with alerts issued for them in their home country. Authorities are actively seeking at least two other individuals believed to be part of their criminal network.