Police officer sent to pretrial detention for faking weapon theft in Peru

A Peruvian National Police officer in Arequipa has been ordered to spend nine months in pretrial detention as he faces charges of faking the theft of his service weapons. Sub-official Leonardo Nicolás Lastarria Llasa is accused of fabricating a robbery on July 1 in the Hunter district.

Lastarria Llasa and a colleague reported being accosted by assailants in a police patrol car, who allegedly stole a rifle and two pistols. However, the Criminal Investigation Division's subsequent inquiries, including forensic analyses, have led investigators to believe the incident was a staged event.

During a virtual hearing on July 27, Lastarria Llasa appeared reserved. The Provincial Criminal Prosecutor's Office of Jacobo Hunter will continue its investigation, which may include examining communication records. Police are also probing the sub-official's alleged connections to the criminal group "Los Ranqueados de Hunter," which is under investigation for embezzlement, aggravated robbery, and criminal association.

The colleague involved, Junior Abdón Pineda Del Pino, remains at large. Authorities are also seeking the alleged assailants, identified as Víctor Machaca P. and Alexa Orellana M.