Residents disrupt traffic in Puente Alto to protest ongoing muggings in the area

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SANTIAGO.- Residents of the Villa San Francisco de Asís neighborhood of Puente Alto protested for more than an hour today due to the ongoing muggings taking place in the area.  The demonstrators claim that gangs of criminals have been robbing people near the intersection of Santa Rosa and Eyzaguirre.

Approximately fifty residents arrived on the corner of Eyzaguirre and San Luis at 7:00 AM today to set up barricades blocking the street.  The barricades caused a large traffic jam in the area until police arrived to break up the demonstration.

According to the spokesperson for the residents, Dina Rodríguez, the protest was triggered by the fact that, last Friday, three muggings were reported in only one day.

Rodríguez explained that their homes are located behind the Concha y Toro Vineyard and that every time they go through the area they are robbed by members of the gang, “Los Vatos Locos”.