SANTO DOMINGO – Authorities are actively searching for four individuals believed to have fled the country aboard a stolen aircraft taken from Joaquin Balaguer Airport in La Isabela, which subsequently headed towards South America. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 23, when the plane, identified by the tail number N871C and belonging to the Punta Cana Group, was stolen along with approximately 150 gallons of fuel.
Investigation and Arrests
Perfecto Acosta, the District Attorney for Santo Domingo province, reported that one suspect has been arrested in Venezuela in connection with the robbery. Acosta indicated that the other individuals involved are currently outside the Dominican Republic. The identities of the pilots are still unknown, and they have not yet been taken to court.
Acosta revealed that a total of around 15 individuals have been interrogated, which includes ten members of the Specialized Corps of Airport and Civil Aviation Security (CESAC). To support the ongoing investigation, efforts will be made to recover the stolen aircraft to ascertain the motive behind the theft.
Evidence suggests that John Emilio Percival Matos, who allegedly orchestrated the theft, along with his accomplices, visited the airport on the evening of October 22. They completed necessary paperwork for a scheduled domestic flight and were subjected to security checks by CESAC personnel. Reports indicate that after completing these procedures, Percival Matos remained inside the aircraft until it departed.
The plane was tracked via radar, indicating its course towards Venezuela or Colombia shortly after its theft. Acosta noted that preliminary findings suggest the theft was premeditated and possibly facilitated by inside help. He emphasized the need for enhanced security measures at the airport to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Matos, along with co-defendants Ramon de los Santos Hernandez Peguero and Pedro Gerardo Gutierrez, was allegedly familiar with the aircraft prior to the heist. Custody arrangements have been made, with the judge in Santo Domingo assigning three months of preventive detention for Matos. His girlfriend, Ginssellys Halversoni Vasquez Amparo, has been placed under travel restrictions and must report for monthly court appearances.
The involvement of airport personnel remains under investigation, as authorities explore potential complicity among staff members during the heist.
Why It Matters
This incident highlights significant security vulnerabilities at the Joaquin Balaguer Airport, raising concerns about the effectiveness of current safety protocols. Authorities’ response and efforts to reinforce airport security will be crucial in preventing future thefts and maintaining public safety and trust in aviation security measures.
