At least two robberies occurred in the early hours of this Wednesday in the Maipú district, leaving an 82-year-old woman a victim of a home invasion, according to reports from biobiochile.cl.
The primary incident took place on Las Torres Avenue, near the intersection with Simón Bolívar. At least three intruders entered the property while the resident was asleep.
One of the attackers held the woman captive in her bedroom while his accomplices ransacked the house. The suspects stole a television, a blank-firing pistol, and various other items with an estimated value of $3 million pesos, according to the report.
The victim, identified as María Teresa, told La Radio that her health condition made it difficult to detect the intruders. “Because I have hearing problems, I couldn't hear them. Then, he leaned close to my ear and said, ‘Where is the money?’ I told him, ‘I don't have any money’,” she stated.
The criminals fled after a neighbor activated a community alarm after hearing suspicious noises. The suspects escaped in a gray vehicle in an unknown direction.
Attempted robbery in nearby area
Near the same location, at the intersection of La Tierra and Venezuela streets, another crime was reported by the Chilean news outlet. In this instance, a pair of criminals attempted to enter the front yard of a residence.
Local residents identified the suspects as a man and a woman who frequently panhandle in the area. Following the attempted robbery, the man managed to flee with a bicycle, while the woman was intercepted by the homeowner.
Municipal security personnel had to detain the woman for over an hour until Carabineros (police) arrived. The woman was handcuffed by officers and transported to a police station.
