In one week, the police have killed eight suspected criminals.

In recent days, the National Police has dominated public debate due to the various deaths of alleged criminals that have been reported.

This past week, the death toll has reached eight, while the police report states that the cause of these deaths was “a shootout with a patrol from the Central Directorate of Investigation (DICRIM).”

The case that drew the most public attention was that of Michael Junior Rodríguez Peguero, better known as “Michael Peluche,” who was implicated in the death of urban artist Jesús Alexis Delgado Ortiz, known as “Diddy Glow.”

“Michael Peluche” died after being shot on September 16 by DICRIM officers, and the incident went viral on social media following his death.

Michael Peluche and Enger

Another man was “Enger,” who died alongside Rodríguez Peguero; both were wanted by the authorities for their alleged involvement in multiple robberies, muggings, and other criminal acts, including the shooting in which two men were killed and five others were wounded in the Los Coquitos neighborhood of the municipality of Boca Chica—among them, Diddy Glow.

Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were transported to Dr. Ney Arias Lora Hospital, where they later died while receiving medical care.

In connection with this same case, on the 19th, the police reported the deaths of Wender Alcántara (a.k.a. “El Compa” or “La Muerte”), 19, as well as Deivi Rosado Durán (a.k.a. “El Gordo” and/or “El Fantasma de Guindo”). The latter was also wanted for his ties to the criminal group “Los Fantasmas,” responsible for the incident in Boca Chica, to which he supplied firearms.

Police show the arrest warrant for Wender Alcántara (a.k.a. “El Compa” or “La Muerte”)

Also, regarding the same case, they mentioned the deaths of Jordin Antonio Ogando (a.k.a. “Jordin” and/or “El Maldito”) and Dilson Humberto Reynoso Cruz (a.k.a. “Mandrake” and/or “El Mello”), aged 33; the latter was identified as a participant in various violent incidents that have occurred since 2021 in Santiago, including robberies, homicides, and gunshot wounds. Among the incidents attributed to him is the one that took place on Circunvalación Avenue in the Nibaje sector of that province, where a 15-year-old teenager was shot and later died.

Police display the arrest warrant for Dilson Humberto Reynoso Cruz (a.k.a. “Mandrake”) and/or “El Mello”

On the 17th of this month, the National Police reported the death of a known criminal who was wanted for his alleged involvement in multiple criminal acts, including gunshot wounds, motorcycle theft, threats, and other cases.

The individual in question was Willi David Gómez Batista (a.k.a. “Willy Piñé”), 26 years old. According to police records, he had been brought to justice on several occasions and was linked to arrest warrants for gunshot wounds, motorcycle theft, defamation, and threats, in addition to recent complaints of firing shots at a residence and physical assault.

Willy Piñé was killed after exchanging gunfire with DICRIM officers during an operation in the Palmarito neighborhood of Barahona. He died while receiving medical treatment at Dr. Jaime Mota University Hospital.

Police authorities also shot and killed Jhoan Omar Leonardo Rodríguez (a.k.a. “Fugao”), 22, a known criminal who was actively sought under arrest warrants numbered 2026-AJ0070342 and AJ-0059738 for his involvement in multiple criminal acts. He died while receiving medical care after exchanging gunfire with a police patrol on the Pimentel-Nagua highway.

The incident occurred when agents from the Criminal Investigation Division (DICRIM) in Cotuí were conducting operational duties and spotted the now-deceased individual, who, upon noticing the police presence, reportedly opened fire on the agents, forcing them to repel the attack.

As a result of the confrontation, “Fugao” sustained multiple gunshot wounds and later died while receiving medical treatment at the San Francisco de Macorís Regional Hospital.

Fugao Dies After Confronting Police Patrol on Pimentel-Nagua Highway

During these confrontations, only civilian injuries were reported; no injuries were reported among the police officers involved in these incidents.