Chaos in soledad: Police Officer Injured as Criminal Gang Flees Pursuit
On the night of Monday, january 13, the quiet streets of soledad, a municipality in Colombia’s Atlántico department, were thrown into chaos. A red Mazda car, carrying members of the notorious Los Costeños criminal gang, struck a member of the Barranquilla metropolitan Police during a high-speed chase. The incident, which unfolded between the Arboleda and Hipódromo neighborhoods, left the community in shock and raised questions about the escalating tensions between law enforcement and organized crime in the region.
The injured officer, identified as 27-year-old Edinson Javier Castrillón Torrado, joined the police force in 2022. He is currently under a reserved prognosis at the Hospital Universidad del norte. A motorcyclist was also injured in the incident, adding to the gravity of the situation.
The Chase: A Desperate Escape
According to a judicial source consulted by WEEK, the events began in the Los Robles neighborhood, where members of Los Costeños were reportedly holding a meeting to discuss their illicit activities. “The details we have indicates that, in the Los robles neighborhood of the municipality of Soledad, there was a meeting between several members of the Los Costeños gang, in which they were defining issues related to the illicit economies they manage in this area of the Metropolitan Area,” the source revealed.
After the meeting, a motorcycle carrying two men began tailing the gang members. Fearing an attack, the occupants of the Mazda accelerated, weaving through neighborhoods like Villa Estadio, Las Moras, and Villa Muvdi before reaching La Arboleda.
“During this entire journey, it was the community that alerted the National Police Dispatch Attention Center, reporting about a suspicious car.Thus, the uniformed officers managed to locate the vehicle. Though, as the occupants were fleeing from the hitmen who were pursuing them with the intention of shooting them down, they ignored the order to stop,” the judicial source explained.
A Dangerous Game of Cat and Mouse
The situation escalated when police officers attempted to stop the Mazda. rather of complying, the driver sped up, striking Officer Castrillón Torrado. The collision left him severely injured, while the motorcyclist caught in the crossfire also suffered injuries.
Despite the chaos,authorities managed to apprehend one individual from the vehicle. However, the suspect was not the driver, raising concerns about the remaining gang members still at large.
Community and Police Response
The incident has sparked widespread concern among residents of Soledad, who are increasingly caught in the crossfire of criminal activity. Colonel Álex Suárez Cruz, operational and citizen security commander of the Barranquilla Metropolitan Police, addressed the public in a statement shared on social media.
“Attention: this is Colonel Álex Suárez Cruz, operational and citizen security commander of the @PoliciaBquilla regarding the events that occurred in the municipality of Soledad, where an agent of the institution was run over and a criminal was captured,” he stated.
Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|—————————|———————————————————————————|
| Location | Soledad, Atlántico, Colombia |
| Date | January 13, 2025 |
| Injured Officer | Edinson Javier Castrillón Torrado, 27 |
| Hospital | Hospital Universidad del Norte |
| Criminal gang | Los Costeños |
| Apprehended Suspect | Not the driver |
| Community Involvement | Residents alerted police about the suspicious vehicle |
A Call for Vigilance
This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized crime in Colombia’s metropolitan areas. It also highlights the critical role of community involvement in reporting suspicious activities.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any unusual behavior. The safety of both officers and civilians depends on a collaborative effort to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
For more updates on this developing story, follow @PoliciaBquilla on twitter and stay tuned to local news outlets.
—
This article is based exclusively on information from the provided source. For further details, refer to the original report by WEEK and the official statement from the Barranquilla Metropolitan Police.Dangerous Criminal Captured in Soledad: A Hitman with a Red Notice from Interpol
In a dramatic turn of events, authorities in Soledad, Colombia, have captured Evert Enrique Faxl Díaz, alias Sobri, a notorious hitman linked to a violent gang. The arrest occurred after a high-speed chase that left a trail of chaos in the Hipódromo de Soledad neighborhood.Sobri, who was traveling in a Mazda vehicle, was identified as the co-pilot and is now in custody, while the driver and a third occupant remain at large.
According to the Police, sobri has a staggering 12 judicial notes for various crimes and is currently under a red notice from Interpol, marking him as one of the moast wanted criminals in the region. At the time of his capture, Sobri attempted to deceive authorities by presenting a false ID.However, fingerprint tests conducted by the Judicial Investigation Section of the Police quickly revealed his true identity.The Mazda vehicle, abandoned by the driver and the third occupant, was later immobilized by agents from the traffic Institute. It is now under the custody of the attorney GeneralS Office, which is leading the investigation. Judicial investigators are working tirelessly to uncover the identities of the two fugitives. Shockingly, WEEK has learned that one of the individuals who fled is reportedly a relative of a senior official within the Attorney General’s Office in the Atlantic region.
The incident took a darker turn when it was revealed that the bloodthirsty gang known as Los Pepes is allegedly responsible for orchestrating the attempted murder of the three individuals inside the vehicle. The attack occurred on the night of Monday,January 13,in Soledad,adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation.
A tweet from Nando J Lozano highlighted the gravity of the situation: “The driver of the Mazda that runs over a police officer and other people in the La Arboleda neighborhood, Soledad, is a potential murderer. Hopefully the @PoliciaBquilla sets a precedent and the judge who takes on the case does not come with technicalities to set him free.”
Key Details at a Glance
| detail | Information |
|———————————|———————————————————————————|
| Suspect Captured | Evert Enrique Faxl Díaz, alias Sobri |
| Criminal Record | 12 judicial notes, Interpol red notice |
| Vehicle Involved | Mazda, abandoned in Hipódromo de Soledad |
| Fugitives | Driver and third occupant, one linked to a senior official |
| Alleged Gang Involvement | Los Pepes, accused of orchestrating the attempted murder |
This case underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized crime. As the investigation unfolds, the public awaits further updates, hoping for justice to prevail.
For more insights into how journalism tackles such complex stories, explore the rigorous standards applied by The New York Times and the trusted reporting of AP News.
Stay informed and engaged as this story develops. Your vigilance and support for ethical journalism can make a difference.
