National Police arrests ERD major for death of 19-year-old in Los Guandules

National District.– The National Police, in coordination with the Public Ministry, announced this Friday the arrest of the alleged perpetrator of the death of the young Perla Jokasta Santos Pacheco, 19 years old, who died after receiving a gunshot wound to the head, in an incident that occurred on the morning of December 26, 2025, in the Los Guandules sector of the National District. The detainee was identified as Major of the Dominican Republic Army (ERD), Diego Geraldo Mesa Arismendy, 48 years old, whose arrest occurred after an exhaustive investigative work carried out by agents of the Operational Department II of Homicide Investigations, attached to the Central Directorate of Investigation (DICRIM). According to the preliminary report, as part of the investigative process, multiple video surveillance camera recordings were collected in the area, as well as the collection and analysis of various pieces of evidence, which allowed for the identification, location, and arrest of the alleged perpetrator of the act.

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Authorities indicated that Mesa Arismendy was arrested in accordance with established legal procedures and remains in police custody, awaiting to be placed at the disposal of the Public Ministry for the corresponding purposes. The National Police indicated that investigations are ongoing, so further details will be offered as the judicial process progresses.