The operation that culminated in the capture of five alleged members of the Mara Salvatrucha in Villa Nueva allowed the authorities to locate an arsenal, motorcycles reported stolen, bulletproof vests and clothing with insignia of the Municipal Traffic Police (PMT), indications that are now part of the investigation for the armed attack in which one man died and another was injured.
The National Civil Police (PNC) reported that, after the persecution that began after the shooting recorded in the Mario Alioto neighborhood, zone 4 of Villa Nueva, The suspects entered a home located in the Mártires del Pueblo neighborhood, where they allegedly tried to hide the weapons used in the attack.
During the inspection of the property, investigators located four Beretta, Taurus and Jericho brand pistols, as well as a .223 caliber Wylde carbine. In total, several magazines and ammunition were seized, which will be subjected to ballistic expert reports to establish if they were used in the armed attack or if they are related to other criminal acts.
In addition to the weapons, investigators found three motorcycles reported stolen, which will be examined to determine if they were used to commit other crimes or as support vehicles for criminal structures.
Another discovery that caught the attention of the authorities was the seizure of four bulletproof vests, two sweaters with insignia of the Villa Nueva Municipal Transit Police and a traffic vest. The PNC has not specified whether these garments are originals or imitations, but they are part of the evidence that will be analyzed during the investigation.
Three balaclava hats and other objects that could provide information about the group’s activities were also located in the house.
One of the detainees has a criminal record
The PNC reported that one of those captured, identified only as Abel “N”, 37 years old, has a record of illicit association.
Another of the detainees was injured during the events and remains hospitalized in a care center under police custody.
The authorities indicated that they continue the proceedings to determine if the five captured participated directly in the armed attack that occurred in the Mario Alioto neighborhood and to establish if the confiscated arsenal has been used in other acts of violence recorded in the municipality.
The evidence was packed by investigators from the Specialized Criminal Investigation Division and prosecutors from the Public Ministry, who will continue with the ballistic, documentary and identification analyzes of the recovered vehicles as part of the investigation process.
Five Mara Salvatrucha hitmen captured after armed attack in Villa Nueva#WeareComplying#ProtectAndServe pic.twitter.com/XHVHTTovAS
— PNC of Guatemala (@PNCdeGuatemala) June 25, 2026
*Stay up to date with the Now newsletter. Key information at the moment it happens. Subscribe here.