A family was the victim of a violent 'turbazo'—a mass-style home invasion—in the Santiago commune late last night. The incident took place at a residence on Rogelio Ugarte Street, where a group of five to six individuals smashed through the front door to gain entry.
The perpetrators, believed to be minors, were armed with knives and screwdrivers. They used these weapons to intimidate a married couple, their 14-year-old daughter, and a 78-year-old woman who was also in the home.
Prosecutor Felipe Olivari, who is leading the initial investigation, stated that the assailants spent approximately three minutes inside. "They used bladed weapons and screwdrivers to intimidate everyone living in the house. They entered the bedrooms, stole various items valued at just over $3 million [CLP], and finally fled the scene," the prosecutor explained.
A false tip as justification
The head of the household recounted that the attackers justified their actions by claiming they had a tip about cash on the premises. "They told us they had a lead and demanded we hand over the money, which we didn't have. We told them they had the wrong house," the woman told Radio Bío Bío.
The victim described moments of extreme tension as the subjects ransacked the rooms. She recounted having to beg the attackers not to enter her teenage daughter’s bedroom, a request the gang ultimately honored.
The homeowner noted that the ordeal severely affected his mother-in-law, who suffers from heart problems. "I said, 'My mother-in-law has a heart condition; if you stay here, she’s going to have a heart attack and die.' That’s when they left," he recalled.
After gathering their loot, the suspects fled in a vehicle that had been waiting outside. The investigation has been handed over to the Investigative Police (PDI) Robbery Brigade, who are working to identify those responsible.
