A 23-year-old man was caught in the act after attempting to steal liquor bottles from a store in Neiva's Chapinero neighborhood, Huila. The Metropolitan Police responded swiftly to a citizen's report, recovering the stolen goods. The suspect was handed over to the Attorney General's Office.
The incident took place near Carrera 12 and Calle 20 in Neiva's Chapinero neighborhood, the capital of Huila. According to the police report, the individual entered the store stealthily to take products without paying. He managed to take two 375-milliliter bottles of tequila and one 750-milliliter bottle of aguardiente.
A timely community report alerted the authorities, who launched an immediate response plan. Units from the Neiva Metropolitan Police located the suspect minutes after the theft and proceeded with his arrest in flagrante delicto. During the procedure, they confirmed his possession of the stolen items and fully recovered the merchandise, returning it to the owner.
After the arrest, the 23-year-old man was placed at the disposal of the Attorney General's Office for the corresponding judicial process. He is expected to appear before a judge of guarantees to determine his legal status. Under Article 239 of the Colombian Penal Code, theft of movable property carries penalties of 32 to 108 months in prison, varying by value: 32 to 48 months if below four minimum monthly wages, and 48 to 108 months if equal to or above that amount.
The commander of the Neiva Metropolitan Police, Colonel Héctor Jairo Betancourt, stressed the importance of citizen collaboration. 'I reiterate the call to the public to continue reporting promptly any acts that affect security and coexistence,' he stated. He also reminded people to use the emergency line 123 to report suspicious situations, noting that this involvement is essential to combat crime and ensure peace in the neighborhoods.