A significant shift in the nature of thefts in Medellín has been observed, with a surprising 83% of robberies now being committed without the use of weapons. This change indicates a move away from the traditional use of firearms or knives in thefts.
According to the Medellín Security Secretary, General (Ret.) José Gerardo Acevedo, the majority of the 39,491 recorded thefts in the city this year involved no weapons. In 32,780 of these cases, criminals resorted to non-violent methods, primarily verbal intimidation, to dispossess victims of their belongings. This trend marks a noticeable shift from past practices where armed robberies were more common.The increase in non-armed thefts is part of a broader rise in overall theft incidents in Medellín. Compared to last year’s figures, there has been a 2.68% increase in thefts across various categories. This shift towards non-armed methods could be attributed to stricter penalties for armed robbery, prompting criminals to adopt less risky strategies.