Suspected car thief arrested in Asunción market

Police in Asunción, Paraguay, apprehended a suspect believed to be a "tortolero," or car thief, during an operation at the Mercado de Abasto market. The arrest occurred as the individual attempted to steal a vehicle parked within the market premises.

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In that moment, my personnel got out of where they were and hailed him to identify him and see that they were approaching him, this person started to run, being reached by police personnel and subdued, within the Abasto grounds, where merchants normally leave their vehicles parked.

The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Nelson Darío Giménez Cardozo, was detained by agents from the National Police. The operation involved plainclothes officers monitoring the area. Giménez Cardozo approached a 1997 Toyota Townace belonging to 75-year-old Ignacio López and attempted to open it.

According to Police Commissioner Humberto Franco, head of the 16th precinct in Asunción, officers intervened as the suspect began to flee. He was apprehended within the market grounds. A search of his person revealed a lock-picking tool, commonly used for vehicle theft, along with a Motorola cell phone, approximately G. 161,000 in cash, a motorcycle key, and a regular key.

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Upon searching his belongings, we found a lock-picking tool, which is normally used for the forced opening of vehicles and stealing them.

Commissioner Franco noted that the operation was prompted by multiple reports of incidents in a poorly lit section of the Mercado de Abasto. Giménez Cardozo has a previous record for aggravated theft. The market has a police presence, with six officers assigned to the 16th precinct providing 24-hour patrols, supplemented by additional personnel and the Lince tactical unit.

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We were having several reports of incidents that were happening in an area of the Mercado de Abasto, which is quite dark these days.