AR-15 Seized and Four Arrested in Uruguay Amid Search for Missing Man

Weapons Seizure and Arrests in Villa Sarandí

Operating in the vicinity of Romeo Gavioli and Arturo Senes near Paso de la Arena, officers from Zona Operacional 4 executed search warrants on Wednesday, uncovering a significant cache of weaponry. According to Montevideo Portal and El País, the recovered items included an AR-15 assault rifle, a Glock pistol modified with a Roni conversion kit, an automatic weapon, and three double-drum magazines capable of holding approximately 100 rounds each. Investigators noted that the drum magazines substantially increase the firepower capacity of the recovered handguns. Police arrested four individuals during the operation, though law enforcement sources confirmed to El País that the suspects were detained strictly for weapons and ammunition possession, as a direct link to the missing person case has not yet been established.

Disappearance of Robert Mijael Duarte Da Silva

The police investigation began following a missing person report filed by the mother of Robert Mijael Duarte Da Silva, a 21-year-old with a criminal record, according to El País. Ministry of the Interior records describe Duarte Da Silva as 1.67 meters tall, of slim build, with brown skin, brown eyes, straight light-brown hair, and numerous tattoos. He walked with a limp and used crutches at the time of his disappearance. According to El País and Subrayado, Duarte Da Silva went to a Villa Sarandí residence on August 29, accompanied by a cousin, to negotiate the purchase of a motorcycle. The cousin told investigators that Duarte Da Silva entered the house alone while the relative waited outside. The family member reported hearing gunshots from inside, followed by armed individuals emerging from the property to shoot at him, injuring his leg before he managed to escape. Duarte Da Silva has not been seen since.

Search Efforts and Ongoing Investigation

Following the initial report, police units and canine teams deployed to Villa Sarandí to search the property and surrounding terrain. According to Telemundo and El País, officers who responded shortly after the initial report found no immediate trace of the missing man, and subsequent searches of the raided dwelling yielded no physical indicators of his whereabouts. Canal 10 and Canal 12 reported that the Jefatura de Policía de Montevideo continues to comb the area with specialized search dogs while the four detainees remain at the disposal of the Prosecutor’s Office.