crime

Few leads in heists

There have been four high-profile robberies in Panama this year, with about $2.4 million having been stolen.

Two of the robberies involved security company Grupo 4. On January 28, an armored car belonging to the company was robbed of $50,000 by armed men outside a supermarket.

The much larger haul, though, took place at the company's headquarters. On March 23, robbers took more than $2.1 million. No arrests, though, have been made.

Police have had more success in their investigation of the robbery of the El Dorado branch of Banismo, which took place on New Year's Day.

Robbers in that case cut a hole in the bank's ceiling from an upstairs office, making their way into a vault. About $250,000 was stolen.

Four people have been arrested in that case, including the building's concierge and two men who worked for the bank's security company. Police were alerted to the security officers' involvement because the person on duty at the time ignored the bank's alarm. Another suspect was arrested when he tried to pawn jewelry stolen from the bank.

Police think they know who was behind the latest robbery, last week's hold-up at Banco Nacional de Panama.

Authorities believe it was masterminded by Abilio González, also known as "Pili," who recently escaped from prison.

Neither Pili nor the $150,000 taken in the robbery has been found.