The arrest of Rafael N., accused of carrying out armed attacks against drivers on Vía Atlixcáyotl, was made possible by tracking a vehicle repeatedly seen circulating without license plates, Puebla’s Secretary of Public Security, Francisco Sánchez González, revealed.

During a press conference, Sánchez González explained that this discovery allowed authorities to establish a search and surveillance pattern, which led to intelligence operations culminating in the suspect’s capture.

The monitoring of the unmarked vehicle was crucial in identifying Rafael N.’s movements and gathering the necessary evidence to coordinate the operation carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in the Santa Fe neighborhood within the Angelópolis area.

This coordinated effort involved personnel from the State Attorney General’s Office, the Public Security Secretariat, the Mexican Army, the National Guard, and the Navy. Authorities reported that during the raid, the suspect fired at agents before being subdued.

Investigations remain open as the Attorney General’s Office continues to determine Rafael N.’s responsibility for the multiple attacks on Vía Atlixcáyotl. They are also analyzing weapons and other evidence seized during the searches conducted on the same day.

This case highlights the importance of coordinated intelligence and surveillance in urban security, especially in areas like Angelópolis, where public safety concerns intersect with daily mobility. For residents and commuters, such efforts are vital to restoring confidence in safe transit routes, including those supported by expanding public transportation options like Puebla’s cablebús system.