A woman identified as Dolores Quispe Apaza66 years old, was killed during a violent assault registered early this Friday, October 31, in his home located in the Virgen de la Candelaria associationin the district of Characato, province of Arequipa. The victim, known in the area for dedicating himself to the production and sale of api, a traditional drink, was attacked by a group of criminals who entered the property for the purpose of robbery.
According to the National Police, the subjects entered through the side of the property, which adjoins an empty lot, and surprised the elderly woman inside her house. There were also two tenants in the place, who were tied up and subdued by the assailants. After tying up everyone present, the criminals proceeded to attack to the businesswoman to force her to reveal the place where she kept her money.
The first investigations indicate that the attackers took approximately 4 thousand solespresumably savings from the family business. The victim would have been strangled and beaten during the assault. Personnel from the Criminal Investigation Division (Divincri) reported that the woman showed signs of having been asphyxiated, although the results of the autopsy are awaited to determine the exact cause of death.
Dolores Quispe used her home as a center for producing the api that she sold in at least four points of sale in different districts of Arequipaaccording to witnesses and family members informed the authorities. His venture was known in the area and generated constant economic activity, which would have motivated the criminals to act.
The head of the Divincri, colonel Eduardo Del Campoindicated that the subjects entered in the early morning hours using a staircase to access the second level. Once inside, they tied up first the tenants and then the victim, who had tried to confront him or ask for help. Furthermore, it was learned that the assailants had poisoned the pet of the family to prevent them from alerting about their presence.
One of the lines of investigation evaluates whether the attackers had prior information about the victim’s commercial activities and the possible existence of money in the home. Witnesses reported that after attacking Dolores Quispe, two of the thieves also entered a neighboring home, where they overpowered a mother and her daughter to take a cell phone before fleeing.
Detectives from the Depincri Homicide Section and Criminalistics experts to collect statements and evidence. The efforts include the analysis of security cameras installed in the area, although neighbors pointed out that the streets still lack complete surveillance infrastructure.
According to the Police, the perpetrators would be more than four people. Some versions reported by the local press mention up to seven people involved, which will be specified in the investigation process.
The businesswoman’s body was taken to the Arequipa Morgue for the corresponding exams. The police authority specified that, because the woman had health problems, the autopsy will determine if she died from direct asphyxiation or cardiac arrest product of aggression.
Neighbors of the Virgen de la Candelaria association They were shocked by the crime and asked for greater security in the area. They assured that the streets, although urbanized, have open areas and lack sufficient surveillance cameras, which facilitates the actions of criminals.
The community highlighted that the victim was a hard-working and reserved person, known for his commercial activity and his efforts to maintain his artisan business. His children arrived at the scene hours after the crime to initiate the legal procedures and accompany the authorities’ proceedings.
The case has generated concern in Characato, where neighbors demand greater police presence and immediate actions to confront the increase in robberies and violent crimes. Divincri continues the investigation to identify and capture those responsible.
