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Santiago's security chief fires following the record “embarrassing” robbery

Thursday, August 14th 2014 - 06:19 UTC
Full article 9 comments

Chile has fired the security chief of the country's main airport after an “embarrassing” robbery of more than 10 million dollars at the cargo terminal. Defense Minister Jorge Burgos said a probe had been launched into how eight armed men had managed to steal the money from a security van at the airport in the capital, Santiago. Read full article

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  • imoyaro

    I'm guessing Argentines. ;)

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 07:04 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    With the numbers involved I don't rate their chances of getting away with it. Look what happened after the Lufthansa robbery at JFK airport. Too much money and too many involved.

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 10:17 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    “The gunmen held up the guards, who had left their weapons at airport security, and emptied the security truck, before running away without firing any shots.”

    Ha, ha, ha.

    I bet the “Security Chief” made that “decision” to take the only means of stopping the robbers away from the guards.

    Precious, just precious. SA lack of foresight at it's 'best'.

    PMSL.

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 11:12 am - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Condorito

    @Chris
    “SA lack of foresight at it's 'best'.”

    I don't think that is fair comment. Without knowing, I would guess that private security firms in the UK are not allowed to take weapons beyond airport security. It would be far to an obvious loop hole for terrorists.

    The big question here is how did the delinquents bypass security.

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 12:53 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Idlehands

    Private security firms in the UK don't carry weapons at all.

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 02:27 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • ChrisR

    @ 4 Condorito

    That is not the big question.

    The real question is why did the head of security, having taken the firearms off the armoured truck, not take on the responsibility for the truck instead of relying on the existing airport security or left it unarmed by ‘decision’?

    He could and perhaps should have, used the army to ensure the security. That is why I said it was ‘“SA lack of foresight at its 'best'.”

    The delinquents as you put it did their homework and I am confident (if we ever find the truth) that the head of security screwed up there as well. Why did the Defence Minister himself make the announcement? I would imagine that like me he couldn’t believe what he was being told.

    @ 5 Idlehands
    “Private security firms in the UK don't carry weapons at all.”

    Not so. Firms guarding military arsenals, atomic weapons facilities and other security requirements of the UK government such as The Pattern Room (which I have visited) are issued with a Section 5 Certificate under the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended). I personally know a company that holds one.

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 05:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Sergio Vega

    Of course, this incident is more tan “embarrasing”.....
    Nobody can hold weaponds inside the airport terminals by internationatl rules to be certified as safe. But, and here is the quid of the matter.....”why the security personal of the airport, and I mean the DGAC (General Direction of Civil Aeronautic) armed officers don´t take the surveyance of the área where the money transfer from special trucks to airplanes are in process and how unauthorized people can get the loading área in 2 unauthorized vehicles ...?”
    To me there was a lack of duty from the DGAC Security Chief, and the entry door officers, plus information from inside of the money transfer trucks company about the process and a very well organized band (probably from former terrorist gangs that acted years ago in Chile) highly trained.
    Naturally, it will mean a change in the recognition about the security of this airport in the world level.....Too bad..!!!

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 05:52 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Ira Curtis

    For the past 3 years I have been pointing out the largest, most dangerous security breach at AMB, Santiago International Airport… No one listens.
    I could have easily avoided this robery. No weapons required. No shooting, killing or violence. Do you hear me Brinks?. Do you hear me DASA?

    Aug 14th, 2014 - 10:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0
  • Chicureo

    Well, it has been very entertaining for our country. Normally the news is dull in Santiago, with only a cash dispensing machine being stolen about every 4 days...
    I assume Brinks has insurance...

    Aug 15th, 2014 - 05:13 am - Link - Report abuse 0

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