Peru Arrests Alleged Mastermind of Arson That Killed 10 in Lima Extortion Feud
Peruvian police have captured Yessenia Ureta Vargas, alias "La China Yessenia," and her partner Juan Ayllón Córdova, alias "Pimpollo," in Manchay, Lima. According to Diario Aja and Latina, police say the two led an extortion gang and allegedly masterminded the July 22 arson of a home in Manzanilla, Lima, in which 10 members of one family died.
Ricardo Espinoza, head of the National Police criminal investigation directorate, said the fire grew out of a dispute between extortion gangs over collecting "cupos" — protection payments — at mototaxi stands. The gang set fire to motorcycles; one parked at the family's door ignited and the flames spread to the house. The family had no connection to the extortion.
Police say the arrests followed the gang's recent extortion bombing of a restobar, in which a detained accomplice confessed that "China Yessenia" had offered him 100 soles to place the explosive. Victims' relatives say they fear the suspects could later be released, as others have been, and have asked the authorities for protection and guarantees.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：利马市区天际线。图片：Hector Becerra / Wikimedia Commons，CC BY-SA 3.0
