Police in Panama City arrested an 18-year-old man convicted of murder and aggravated robbery on Monday, taking him into custody outside the Villas de San Miguel building in the Calidonia district. The suspect was wanted on a warrant issued October 6, 2026 by the Second Compliance Court of Panama’s First Judicial District.
The conviction stems from a December 8, 2024 armed robbery at a mini-supermarket in Loma Cová, Arraiján district, where a security guard was shot and killed. National Police units made the arrest without incident, officials confirmed.
Details of the Loma Cová Homicide and Robbery
Court documents show the crime unfolded at approximately 8:26 p.m. when five armed men entered the establishment. Surveillance footage captured the assailants wearing hoods and masks as they opened fire on the security guard, who died at the scene. The entire assault lasted roughly two minutes.
During the robbery, a bystander at an adjacent business closed the mini-supermarket’s exterior door from outside in an attempt to trap the suspects. The men responded by shooting repeatedly at the entrance while demanding it be opened. They ultimately escaped through a small service window used for customer transactions, taking cash stuffed into backpacks.
Following the homicide, police offered a $3,000 reward for information leading to the identification of those responsible. The investigation eventually produced the conviction and the subsequent arrest warrant executed this week.
Sentencing and Judicial Proceedings
The 18-year-old received an 18-year prison sentence for intentional aggravated homicide and aggravated robbery. Panamanian courts issued the compliance order after the conviction was finalized, directing law enforcement to locate and detain the individual for transfer to the penitentiary system.
Four additional suspects remain under investigation in connection with the Arraiján robbery and killing, according to authorities familiar with the case. Police have not released their identities or indicated whether additional arrests are imminent.
Security Context in Panamá Oeste
The Loma Cová homicide drew significant attention in Arraiján, a district that has faced recurring incidents of violent commercial robbery. Business owners in the area have repeatedly called for increased police patrols and faster response times during nighttime hours.
The arrest in Calidonia underscores the geographic reach of the manhunt, spanning from Panamá Oeste province to the capital district. Law enforcement officials credited inter-district coordination for the successful apprehension.