The National Police kills three alleged criminals

Three alleged criminals who were wanted on charges of committing multiple crimes were killed, and a fourth was arrested after allegedly shooting at police officers during an operation carried out by the Subdirectorate of Criminal Investigations (Dicrim) in two sectors of San José de las Matas.

The report indicates that in the operation, three pistols without documents, scales, backpacks, candles, lighters, and cash were seized. And various portions of cocaine, marijuana, and crack.

The deceased are Anthony Gabriel Bueno, 25; Eury Emmanuel Cruz Castro (Sicario de Moca), 24; and Nelson Antonio Zapata Bernard (El Bale or El Fiuri), 26, residents of Cienfuegos, Moca and San José de las Matas.

According to the police report, the first confrontation occurred in El Guamo when the agents were chasing José Miguel Báez Báez (Chigue), Jonathan Ventura Almonte (detained), and Anthony Gabriel Bueno (deceased), who were driving in a Hyundai Sonata through a vacant lot.

Upon noticing the police presence, the men tried to flee, shooting at the officers, who repelled the aggression. In this exchange, Anthony Gabriel Bueno lost his life, while José Miguel Báez escaped.

In a subsequent operation, the agents moved to an aparthotel located in the Botoncillo sector, where Cruz Castro and Zapata Bernard opened fire when they noticed the police presence. The officers, following the staggered protocol of the use of force, repelled the attack, resulting in the deaths of both men.

Criminal history

After purging the police system, the law enforcement institution confirmed that Nelson Antonio Zapata Bernard had three records for homicide and robbery. In contrast, Anthony Gabriel Bueno and Eury Emmanuel Cruz Castro had a record of theft, drug possession, and illegal possession of firearms.