Mexico City police have detained two men suspected of extorting shopkeepers in the Azcapotzalco borough. Both incidents occurred during separate patrols following citizen complaints.
The first case took place in the Euskadi neighborhood, where a 25-year-old barber shop owner reported being threatened by three individuals who demanded cash. The victim handed over a smaller amount than requested before the aggressors fled on a motorcycle. It is not yet known if they belong to any criminal group.
The second incident occurred in the Tezozómoc neighborhood, where a 38-year-old food vendor reported being pressured to pay for "protection" for his semi-fixed hamburger stand. After receiving threats, the victim handed over cash, and the suspect was arrested by police with the money on him.
One of the detainees had a criminal record for robbery in 2009 and 2020, as well as an administrative offense in 2019. Both men were transferred to the Public Ministry, where their legal situation will be determined.
These cases highlight a recurring modus operandi for this crime: the demand for cash payments under intimidation, a phenomenon that particularly impacts small businesses in the capital.
