‘Jhon Pulpo’ changed his appearance to evade justice before capture in Bolivia

Jhonsson Smith Cruz Torres, known as Jhon Pulpo, appeared markedly different when Bolivian authorities captured him on Tuesday, Sept. 1. His hair was straight and combed down, his eyebrows were fuller, and his nose looked different from images used during the search.

Peruvian Interior Minister César Astudillo confirmed the arrest and identified Cruz Torres as the main leader of Los Pulpos, a criminal organization associated with extortion, kidnappings and other violent acts in Trujillo and other parts of Peru.

Authorities had warned that the fugitive repeatedly changed his physical appearance to make identification more difficult. Earlier in the year, during an international operation in Bolivia, officials arrested his partner, Keysi Salvatierra Vigo, who was wanted in connection with the kidnapping of the son of a former councilwoman from El Porvenir.

The operation took place in La Paz, where authorities found a false identity document that police said belonged to Cruz Torres. The document carried the name Santiago Saavedra Quispe. Police also reported at the time that the fugitive had changed facial features and wore curly hair to avoid recognition.

Peru had offered a reward of 500,000 soles for information leading to his whereabouts. Cruz Torres had remained a fugitive for several years despite having a life sentence in Peru. Astudillo said he would be transferred to Peru to answer to authorities in the proceedings and investigations against him.