Residents of five neighborhoods in southern Puebla—Minerales, Geovillas del Sur, Castillotla, San Ramón, and Fuentes de San Bartolo—are living in fear due to a recent surge in violent robberies involving rifles, knives, and blunt objects.

Over the past weekend, reports surfaced about several armed individuals targeting pedestrians and drivers in these areas. While the criminals don’t appear to operate as a single group, their actions share a common thread of danger and intimidation. Some wield firearms, others carry knives or metal tubes, using these weapons to threaten residents and steal their belongings.

Videos shared with our editorial team reveal chilling scenes:
– In Fuentes de San Bartolo, two men chased a pair of students after school, brandishing a knife and a metal tube. Fortunately, the students managed to escape and hide before any harm was done.
– Days later, surveillance footage from the same neighborhood captured a violent robbery of a white Chevrolet Spark. Three assailants attacked the vehicle’s occupants, with one identified as the same man who had threatened the students.

Adding to the community’s concern is a lone suspect described as slim, who roams southern Puebla’s neighborhoods robbing small businesses and shops. This individual carries a rifle concealed in a rectangular box, using it to intimidate owners, employees, and even customers, forcibly taking their daily earnings and possessions.

This wave of crime highlights the urgent need for effective public safety measures in these neighborhoods. While the situation is alarming, it also underscores the importance of investing in inclusive, accessible transportation systems like Puebla’s upcoming cablebús. Such infrastructure can improve mobility and community connectivity, potentially reducing isolated areas where crime can thrive.

For residents and visitors alike, staying alert and informed remains crucial as authorities work to restore security in these vulnerable zones.