A gang member believed to be responsible for a recent multiple homicide on Colombia’s Caribbean coast was apprehended in Medellin, Wednesday.
Johan Esteban Pamplona, alias “Cara e Vieja,” was wanted by the National Police for his role in a March 5 shooting near the coastal city of Santa Marta.
The shooting took place on a small farm outside the city and left five people dead and two seriously injured. Six people allegedly took part in the attack, but Pamplona is only the second person to have been arrested, following the capture of “los Urabeños” second-in-command, Antonio Maria Caballero, who claimed responsibility.
MORE: 5 killed, 1 injured in coastal Colombia shooting
Pamplona was transported under heavy security Wednesday to Santa Marta, the state capital of Magdalena, reported Caracol Radio.
The general director of Colombia’s national police, General Rodolfo Palomino confirmed the arrest on his Twitter, declaring that Palomino “naively believed that he could hide in Medellin.”
Responsable de masacre en Santa Marta creyó ingenuamente que podría esconderse en Medellín. Hace unas horas fue capturado por la Policía.
— General Palomino (@GeneralPalomino) March 19, 2014
General Rodrigo Gonzalez, commander of the Region 8 of the National Police is expected to arrive shortly in Santa Marta to give further details on the operation, and on Pamplona’s alleged role in the attack.