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From 7 Years in Prison to Life Sentence: Verdict Issued Against Armed Gang Operating in Ercilla

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The Oral Criminal Court of Angol sentenced members of an armed gang to penalties ranging from 7 years in prison to life imprisonment for committing violent crimes between March 28 and October 19, 2023, in Ercilla, in the La Araucanía region.

The group consisted of three adults and one adolescent who carried out various crimes. Among the victims were employees of the Ercilla Cesfam, the Victoria Municipality, and the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic. All were attacked while performing fieldwork.

During the sentencing hearing, it was revealed that José Arzola Millalén received a life sentence for aggravated robbery and 11 years in prison for unjustified shootings and attempted homicide.

Meanwhile, Luis Morales Millanao was sentenced to 9 years in prison for drug trafficking, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, and illegal possession of ammunition.

Juan Queipul Queipul will serve 7 years deprived of liberty for receiving a stolen vehicle, illegal possession of a firearm, and illegal possession of ammunition.

The adolescent, identified by the court with the initials D.Q.M., will undergo 10 years of closed-regiment confinement—the maximum penalty under the Juvenile Criminal Responsibility Law—for aggravated robbery, unjustified shootings, and attempted homicide.

These are the harshest sentences issued in La Araucanía for "ambush-style" robberies and among the most severe penalties for crimes committed in the context of rural violence or criminality.

Extreme Violence

In the three robberies for which they were convicted, the gang acted with absolute brutality, shooting victims even after they surrendered their vehicles. One victim, a Victoria Municipality employee, lost a limb as a result.

Besides robberies, the court confirmed the gang's involvement in the armed attack on the Ercilla Carabineros Substation on May 7, 2023, and the attempted murder of two members of the Urban family two days later.

In the latter incident, Brenneke shotguns were fired at a police vehicle, injuring two officers. One target was Héctor Urban Astete, who was serving as a constituent at the time.

Source:BiobioChile