Throughout 2023 so far, a total of 25,660 thefts have been reported in the city of Medellín, marking a 9% increase compared to 2022. On average, there are 113 thefts daily in the city.
One recent incident in Medellin occurred last Saturday at a restaurant located at Circular 4 with Carrera 73, in the first park of Laureles. A man entered the establishment and managed to steal two rings from another patron, injuring him with a traumatic weapon in the process.
“This individual fled on a motorcycle. However, thanks to timely information from the community, he was intercepted by the quadrant patrol,” said Captain José Ramírez, deputy commander of the Laureles Police Station. A chase ensued, leading to a shootout between the authorities and the alleged criminals. Witnesses claim to have heard at least a dozen shots fired, though no bystanders were injured.
Individual Robberies Take the Lead
The most frequent form of theft in Medellín is personal theft. On average, 82 daily thefts target valuable possessions like cell phones, cash, and wallets. The total number this year has reached 18,421 cases, a 13% increase from last year, when the count was 16,278.
Cell phones are the most coveted items in Medellin for criminals, with 6,628 reported thefts this year. However, there’s a silver lining as this number marks a 16% decrease from the previous year’s total of 7,899 stolen phones.
Hiking activities also face theft risks. Criminal structures take advantage of the secluded green areas to rob walkers at knife or gunpoint. So far, five such incidents have been reported this year.
Vehicle Thefts on the Rise
Vehicles are highly targeted in Medellin, whether they are cars, motorcycles, or bicycles. This year, 311 cases of bicycle theft have been reported, a drop from last year’s count of 405. However, motorcycle thefts have increased by 2%, with 3,781 cases reported this year, 103 more than last year.
The majority of motorcycle thefts in Medellin, 3,117 to be exact, happen when they are parked on the street, with thieves exploiting the owner’s inattentiveness to disable security systems and make off with the bike. This number is an increase of 86 cases from last year. Additionally, 510 motorcycles were stolen at gunpoint this year (469 the previous year). Car thefts totaled 579 this year, with 352 of these cases occurring when owners left their cars parked on the streets, often during the early hours of the morning.
Business and Residential Thefts
In light of the aforementioned incident in Laureles, authorities have highlighted a concerning statistic: 1,870 reported thefts from commercial establishments this year, averaging eight businesses victimized daily.
The areas most affected by this type of theft are those with a dense concentration of restaurants and commercial establishments: Comuna 10 (Candelaria) with 429 cases, 14 (El Poblado) with 277, and 11 (Laureles-Estadio) with 240. Comparatively, these figures represent a 13% decrease from 2022.
In contrast, residential burglaries have surged by 14%. Last year, 886 home burglaries were reported. This year, the number has risen to 1,009. Three districts in Medellín have reported over 100 burglaries, all in upscale areas.
Arrests and Recoveries
Most of the thefts in Medellin can be traced back to regular criminal structures, although some organized crime gangs are also involved. This year, authorities have arrested 599 individuals in connection to thefts, a slight drop from 644 arrests last year.
The perception of safety remains a significant concern for residents. Casual activities like walking on the street or dining out come with the constant fear of armed robbery. However, there’s some hope. Surveillance footage from security cameras led to the arrest of two men who stole a phone from a passerby. The stolen phone was promptly returned to its owner.
Traffic lights have become especially dangerous for luxury car owners. On June 30, two men on a motorcycle targeted a high-end car driver, robbing him at gunpoint. A similar incident occurred on July 7, where two armed men on a motorcycle robbed a minimarket and also took valuables from two individuals.