Police arrest gang accused of carrying out express kidnappings in northern Lima

Three alleged members of a criminal gang dedicated to express kidnappings were arrested Sunday morning in northern Lima, after police linked them to the abduction of a pharmacist.

Miguel Maturrano Moreno, who has a previous record for a cybercrime, Renzo Ríos Lay, who had also been arrested for robbery and theft, and Venezuelan national Ronal Benítez Elizandre were detained at 11:30 a.m. at the intersection of Canta Callao and Pacasmayo avenues in San Martín de Porres.

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Criminals force the victim to withdraw money from ATMs using their cards, transfer funds through mobile applications, or demand a quick ransom of a moderate amount from relatives.

Police seized a Glock 17 pistol, the victim’s credit and debit cards, mobile phones and a vehicle with license plate CEZ-301. Investigators said the car had been used to abduct Carlos Alberto Torres Cubas. The suspects allegedly posed as a taxi service, threatened the pharmacist with death and forced him to withdraw substantial sums from his cards.

Colonel Holger Obando, head of the Extortion Investigation Division, said express kidnapping differs from traditional kidnapping because it requires little logistical preparation and involves a brief captivity. Criminals look for people who are alone, distracted or leaving crowded places and businesses. Victims may be forced to withdraw cash from ATMs, transfer money through mobile applications or secure a quick ransom from relatives. The detention can last from a few hours to a maximum of one day.

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We learned that a person working in the pharmaceutical sector had been the victim of a kidnapping while traveling, using the fake taxi-service method.