Authorities disband group of thieves led by handicapped man

SANTIAGO.-  Police have arrested a 35 year-old physically disabled man that had been acting as the ringleader of a group of criminals dedicated to robbing stores in the eastern sector of the capital city.

Radio Bío Bío reported that the man, identified as Mauricio Reyes Baeza, was detained along with three other individuals along Avenida Las Condes near the “Marcamanía” store as police were performing a routine patrol of the area.

Police spotted the suspects sitting in a car and decided to question them.  While questioning the men, the officers noticed that they possessed tools as well as a large quantity of brand-name clothing.

After realizing that the car was in front of a store that had its front window panes smashed, police were able to determine that both men belonged to a group of individuals that had broken into the business and that they were in the process of stealing merchandise.

The police arrested Reyes, who was the driver of the car, which had been modified so that he could drive it.  Officials also detained Jonathan Galaz, Carlos Lara and Rodnik Zamorano, all of whom possess previous criminal records and were found to be in possession of the tools that were used to break into the store.