Zárate: Two detained after hostage situation and shootout during cell phone robbery

A violent robbery at a mobile phone store in central Zárate, Argentina, resulted in a hostage situation and a shootout with police on Saturday. The incident began around 12:30 PM on Justa Lima Street when two armed suspects attempted to rob the establishment.

Upon being surrounded by the Bonaerense Police, one suspect used a 40-year-old woman as a human shield, holding her by the neck while brandishing a firearm. During a pursuit through a pedestrian area, the suspects engaged in a shootout with officers. One accomplice, who attempted to flee with a stolen motorcycle and a backpack containing stolen goods, was shot in the leg and arm and remains hospitalized.

The second suspect, who was holding the hostage, surrendered after seeing his accomplice wounded. The hostage was released unharmed. Police seized a 9 mm pistol, a Honda Transalp 750 motorcycle, approximately $30,000 in cash, $1,400 USD, and 12 iPhones. The detainees, identified as Julián Crespo and Eduardo Gómez Sosa, reportedly have criminal records.