Two women have been arrested in southern Quito in connection with a suspected auto parts theft operation, police confirmed.
The arrests took place in the Mena 2 sector, where authorities located a property believed to have been used to dismantle stolen vehicles and store parts.
According to police, the investigation began after a vehicle was stolen in the Santa Rosa area. A GPS tracking device allowed officers to trace the car to the house within minutes of the theft.
Authorities said residents activated a community alarm shortly after the incident, but the suspects allegedly threatened neighbors with firearms before fleeing the scene.
By the time police arrived, the stolen vehicle had already been dismantled. Officers also found parts from other vehicles inside the property, reinforcing suspicions that the site was being used as an illegal chop shop.
During the raid, police seized multiple auto parts, along with a fuel feeder and a pair of handcuffs believed to have been used in criminal activities.
The two suspects, who reportedly have no prior criminal records, were taken into custody and handed over to judicial authorities.
Recovered vehicle parts remain under police control while efforts are made to identify and return them to their rightful owners.