At least 20 military personnel must be held responsible for weapons theft

At least 20 military personnel must be held responsible for the weapons theft that took place in São Paulo, the Army reported — 21 anti-aircraft machine guns were taken from the War Arsenal in Barueri. The action is being led by the Southeast Military Command, officers, sergeants, corporals and soldiers must respond for the theft at the administrative level.

“Soon, military personnel will be subjected to precautionary arrest with authorization from the Court. This should happen soon with the evidence we have”, informed General Maurício Vieira Gama, Chief of the Southeast General Staff, during a press conference this Sunday (22).

Also according to the general, the 20 officers will answer for the crime for having “been negligent, but did not necessarily commit a crime”. The officers’ participation in the crime, however, was not ruled out by the general. Furthermore, more people could still be indicted.

“We had around 20 military personnel, but as this is being reviewed and investigated, other military personnel may enter into this investigation relationship at the disciplinary level”, pointed out Gama. The penalty for a transgression committed in this sphere can be up to 30 days of disciplinary imprisonment.

Theft of weapons from the Army

On the 10th, during an inspection, the Army noticed the absence of 21 machine guns from its arsenal, when the crime was discovered. The information was revealed by Metropoliseson the 13th. .50 caliber and 7.62 caliber machine guns were stolen.

According to information revealed at a press conference this Sunday, the theft is considered the largest in the history of the Army. To date, 17 weapons have been recovered and the armed forces are still working to recover the rest.