Police dismantle gang that simulated DNCD operations to commit robberies; 4 arrested and one fugitive

San Pedro de Macorís. – The National Police of the Dominican Republic reported the dismantling of a criminal gang that used uniforms similar to those of the National Directorate for Drug Control (DNCD) to simulate operations and commit robberies in different provinces of the country. Within the framework of the investigations, agents of the Investigations Division of the Police in Hato Mayor, along with the Southeast Regional Sub-Directorate of Investigation (DICRIM) in San Pedro de Macorís, arrested four alleged members of the criminal structure through judicial orders issued by the Instruction Court of the Judicial District of Hato Mayor. The detainees were identified as Yendris Peguero Mercedes, 26 years old; Enrique Aníbal Matos Saladín, 53; Ismael Elnez Martínez, 25; and Adriano Frías Reyes, 34. Authorities maintain the active search for a fifth member identified as Pedro Reyes Santana, who remains at large.

Robbery details

According to the complaint filed by a 25-year-old merchant, the incident occurred on the morning of March 10th in the municipal district of Los Hatillos. According to the police report, four armed men, dressed in uniforms alluding to the DNCD, arrived at the victim’s residence aboard a white Kia Seltos jeep. Once inside the place, they pointed guns at the merchant and his wife, tied their hands and feet, and stole US$15,000 dollars, RD$1,800,000 pesos in cash, jewelry, luxury watches, cell phones, speakers, personal documents, and other items.

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The investigations made it possible to track those involved and locate the vehicles used during the assault, including two Honda CR-V SUVs, with which the suspects traveled to the Andrés sector, in Boca Chica, where they tried to sell part of the stolen items in a jewelry store. Subsequently, two of those involved were arrested in the 24 de Abril sector while traveling in a white Honda CR-V, year 2016, owned by the fugitive Reyes Santana.

Occupied evidence

During the arrests and raids, officers seized various pieces of evidence linked to the case, including three luxury watches, cash, the 2026 Kia Seltos vehicle used in the robbery, and two 9 mm caliber pistols (a Glock and a Ruger) with magazines and cartridges. Vests, caps, sweaters, and balaclavas with DNCD insignias were also confiscated, as well as gloves, stolen items, and music equipment belonging to the victim. Authorities reported that some of the stolen jewels were later recovered, including a gold guilloche with a stone voluntarily handed over by a merchant who had acquired it without knowing its origin. Criminal structure According to the police report, Matos Saladín, alias “Pericle”, is considered a repeat offender with several arrest warrants in different provinces for robbery, association of wrongdoers, and firearm injuries. Authorities indicated that he allegedly recruited people to join criminal structures dedicated to robberies, kidnappings, and extortion, using fake uniforms of security agencies to deceive his victims. According to the preliminary statements of the detainees, the gang would have obtained internal information about the victim, an aspect that continues to be investigated by the security agencies. Judicial process The four detainees will be placed at the disposal of the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the knowledge of coercive measures, while search efforts continue to capture the fugitive Pedro Reyes Santana and determine if there are other people involved. The National Police reiterated that it is keeping investigations active to completely dismantle this criminal structure, which allegedly operated in several provinces of the country.