Former presidential bodyguard shot two motorcycle thieves who assaulted his wife in Laferrere

In a new episode reflecting the growing impunity with which crime operates in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area, a first sergeant of the Federal Police Argentina, 54 years old, shot a motorcycle thief who had attacked his wife in broad daylight in the town of Gregorio de Laferrere, in the district of La Matanza. The officer, who was off duty and dressed in civilian clothes, is a former member of the prestigious Presidential Security Division.

The events took place this Tuesday, around 1600 Montgolfier, when the police officer saw two armed criminals approach his partner, 53 years old, to steal her purse. According to his statement, "he saw the maneuver just in time, gave the warning, and fired," he told officers of the Buenos Aires Police who arrived at the scene after a 911 call.

The officer drew his personal weapon, a Glock 9-millimeter caliber pistol—not regulation—and opened fire. One of the bullets struck one of the assailants in the head, who fell wounded about 30 meters (98 feet) from the scene. The accomplice managed to escape and remains at large.

A neighbor found the stolen purse about 200 meters (656 feet) from the scene and returned it to the Police. Meanwhile, the wounded thief was transported by ambulance to Paroissien Hospital, where he was admitted unconscious and remains hospitalized under custody. The suspect was identified as E.H.G., 27 years old, with a criminal record for robbery in a case processed in the judicial department of Vicente López. The Honda XR motorcycle used in the attempted robbery had no legal restrictions.

The investigation is in the hands of prosecutor Gastón Duplaa, who, although he did not take judicial action against the PFA sergeant, ordered the seizure of the weapon for forensic analysis and the corresponding gunshot residue test. So far, no witness statements have been added to the case file.

This incident is not isolated. In parallel, also in the district of La Matanza, officers from the Departmental Investigation Delegation (DDI) managed to capture another member of the dangerous home invasion gang led by the criminal known as "Pito Wey", who was arrested last Friday in San Justo. The newly apprehended individual, identified as C.A.C., 47 years old, was wanted nationally and internationally for multiple aggravated robberies under the "home invasion" method and for illicit association.

The investigation, led by the Guarantee Court No. 3, presided over by Judge Rubén Ochipinti, and UFI No. 11, headed by Evangelina Sánchez, gained momentum after a series of violent robberies occurred in March in the western area of the metropolitan region.

One of the most high-profile cases took place on March 11 in the early morning, when an 80-year-old man was surprised by hooded assailants in his home in San Justo. When he activated the neighborhood alarm, the thieves fled after stealing a cell phone and a laptop. An hour later, in Lomas del Mirador, a family fell victim to another armed robbery: at least five criminals entered the home of a 49-year-old man while he was sleeping, and took money and valuables.