The heist took place at about midday local time (11 a.m. ET), when a group of 10 entered the cargo area of Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport and targeted a van belonging to security firm Brinks, according to CNN affiliate CNN Chile.
The gang passed themselves off as workers from delivery firm DHL, entering the airport in a vehicle in the company’s red and yellow livery, before threatening security guards and leaving one person injured after hitting them, reports CNN Chile.
Jorge Sánchez from Chile’s Policia de Investigacion (PDI) gave a press conference on Monday following the heist, revealing that $14 million and one million euros in cash had been stolen.
Sánchez said the criminals may have had inside information that enabled them to carry out the heist, adding that the crime was carried out by professionals.
The PDI is investigating alongside the public prosecutor, said Sánchez, who added that the necessary security protocols were not
New security measures were supposed to be implemented in the wake of a similar heist at the airport in 2014, in which $10 million was stolen.
CNN has reached out to Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport for further details.
Chile is currently experiencing serious civil unrest that has stretched security forces with demonstrations against President Sebastián Piñera ongoing since October 2019.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets Sunday to mark International Women’s Day, with parts of the march turning violent.
