A recent study carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office for Analysis and Complex Crime (FACC) has revealed disturbing figures about the destination of stolen vehicles in Chile. The report, which covers the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, shows that a significant part of the vehicles recovered in the Antofagasta Region were stolen in other regions of the country, including the commune of Puente Alto.
FACC Analysis: A National Problem
The FACC analysis focused on a sample of 1,086 vehicles recovered in the Antofagasta Region. Of these, 47% (510 vehicles) were stolen in other regions. The Metropolitan Region is the most affected, representing 32.4% of the cases. In the breakdown by communes, the main points of origin of these stolen vehicles are:
- Antofagasta (30.5%)
- Calama (20.7%)
- Vitacura (4.3%)
- The Counts (4.1%)
- Santiago (3.3%)
- The Serena (2.8%)
- High Bridge (2.0%)
- Providence (1.8%)
- Ñuñoa (1.8%)
- Coquimbo (1.6%)
- Saint Bernard (1.6%)
- Maipu (1.4%)
- Peñalolen (1.4%)
- Quilpue (1.2%)
- Viña del Mar (1.2%)
- Mussels (1.2%)
Puente Alto on the map
With 2% of the vehicles recovered in Antofagasta being stolen in Puente Alto, this commune joins a list of areas significantly affected by this crime. Puentealtinos must be aware of the increasing risk of their vehicles being stolen and transported long distances to be used in illicit activities.
The Criminal Vehicle Market
The Regional Prosecutor of Antofagasta, Juan Castro Bekios, explained that the analysis has made it possible to quantify a problem that, although known, had not been precisely dimensioned. “Almost half of the cars we are recovering were stolen out of the region and transported here for various illicit purposes,” he said.
Additionally, many of these vehicles are known to be taken to the border to be exchanged for drugs or weapons, or sold in illegal markets in neighboring countries. This trafficking of stolen vehicles not only affects the direct victims, but also fuels other serious crimes.
The Necessary Response
To confront this phenomenon, the Regional Prosecutor highlighted the importance of providing police forces with more resources and strengthening international cooperation. “Nothing done individually will be really effective. Only to the extent that we link both at the macro-zonal level and internationally, will we be able to effectively confront these criminal organizations that know no borders,” he emphasized.
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