In an attempted robbery targeting municipal funds, security guards at the San Ramón municipality received a phone call late Monday night from a male voice impersonating Mayor Gustavo Toro. The caller claimed to be in a hospital in a complex state of health and directed the guards to enter the treasury offices to access the safe.
The Late-Night Phone Call and Forced Entry
The operation unfolded after hours when municipal security personnel answered a call from an individual pretending to be Mayor Gustavo Toro. According to reports, the caller convinced the guards that he was in urgencias and issued direct orders to enter the treasury offices. While the guards managed to enter the office, they failed to take the safe due to its weight and size, though they caused material damage to the property in the process.
Mayor Gustavo Toro Alerts Authorities
Mayor Gustavo Toro stated that he learned of the incident at approximately 3:00 a.m. when Carabineros contacted him to verify his health. The perpetrators utilized his photograph via WhatsApp while instructing that he was in urgencias and giving the instruction to go to the municipality’s finance and treasury office. Toro noted that it was suspicious that the security guards covered security cameras in much of the treasury offices while following the instructions.
Municipal Response and Police Investigation
Following the incident, the Municipality of San Ramón initiated the process of termination with the security firm involved, Comercializadora e Importadora Fernanda Pacheco Araya SPA, pending the proceedings carried out by the Policía de Investigaciones.
Details of the San Ramón security breach
Who was targeted in the San Ramón security breach?
The municipal treasury of San Ramón was targeted using a phone call and WhatsApp messages designed to impersonate Mayor Gustavo Toro.
Did the suspects successfully steal the safe?
No, the security guards could not remove the safe due to its weight and size, though they caused material damage to the offices.
Which security company was dismissed following the incident?
The Municipality of San Ramón initiated the termination process for Comercializadora e Importadora Fernanda Pacheco Araya SPA.
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