Robbers Killed An Attorney General's Office Employee In Santiago And Stole His Car

An employee of the Attorney General's Office (PGR) lost his life early on Wednesday, Nov. 16, after being shot by unidentified assailants during an attack in the Cienfuegos sector, in the Santiago Oeste municipality district, Diario Libre reported.

The victim, a 53-year-old man named Leonardo Reyes Fernández, was robbed of his 2012 white Kia K5.

The PGR employee passed away as he was receiving medical care at Santiago's Presidente Estrella Urea Hospital.

According to the report made by the doctors of the aforementioned hospital, the victim died as a result of an abdominal gunshot wound.

Relatives testified that the judicial server was going home in the Cienfuegos area after bringing a pregnant woman to the hospital for an emergency when he was attacked, looted of his vehicle, and fatally injured.

Reyes Fernández had been working for the Attorney General's Office as a driver for 17 years.

Currently, he was attached to the Santiago Palace of Justice for the transfer of inmates to prisons.

Crime in Santiago has risen again in recent days. With this case, there are 11 violent deaths registered in Santiago since last Saturday, Nov. 12, night, said reports.

Crime continues to be a problem throughout the Dominican Republic. Street crime and petty theft involving tourists do occur, and precautions should be taken to avoid becoming a target. While pickpocketing and mugging are the most common crimes against tourists, reports of violence against both foreigners and locals are growing.

Inside the Dominican Republic, gangs known as Naciones and Pandillas dominate the organized crime landscape. The most prominent groups are the Latin Kings, Los Trinitarios (a New York-based gang), the Bloods, Los 42, Metálicos, Ñetas, Mercaderos, Dorados, and Rastafrys, among others.

According to reports, these groups have a presence in the larger cities of both the Dominican Republic and the US and are involved in drug retailing, extortion, racketeering, and money laundering. While the influence of these gangs may have waned in recent years, they still appear to have significant territorial control and often have the capacity to provide services within their territories.