Atlantic City Councilman Alexis Castillo's van is stolen in Santa Veronica, with his entire family's belongings.

In Santa Verónica, a coastal community in the Atlántico department of Colombia, Concejal Alexis Castillo reported the theft of his Toyota Prado truck, which was taken along with personal belongings belonging to him and his family. The incident occurred while Castillo and several relatives were resting in the area, according to reports from local media. The stolen vehicle, bearing license plates LTV-562, was reportedly driven away without confrontation, as the occupants were not using it at the time. The theft took place during a weekend when many families travel to the region for leisure, particularly to its beaches and nearby rural areas. Castillo, who is known as one of Barranquilla’s more socially engaged officials, shared the incident through his official Instagram account. He described the loss as a major blow to his household, noting that nearly all the items they had brought for their getaway, including clothing, personal effects, and valuables, were left behind inside the truck. Castillo stated that he immediately contacted the National Police upon realizing the theft had occurred. Authorities confirmed that a “candado” (lockout) operation was initiated to track down the missing vehicle and identify those responsible. This method involves deploying resources to monitor possible routes and locate the stolen property. However, as of the latest update, there has been no confirmation of the truck's whereabouts or any arrests related to the case. The police have indicated that they are still investigating whether there are surveillance cameras in the area that might capture footage of the crime. They are also working to determine the path the truck took after leaving Santa Verónica. According to Castillo, the officers responding to the call informed him that there was no recent record of similar incidents in this specific location. Castillo was accompanied by his daughters and mother at the time of the theft. He emphasized that none of the individuals present suffered physical injuries. He expressed concern over the manner in which the theft was executed, suggesting that the perpetrators likely had prior experience in such crimes. The lack of direct confrontation allowed them to take the vehicle without resistance. The situation has drawn attention due to the high volume of visitors in the area during the holiday season. Local authorities are under pressure to provide updates on the investigation, especially given the public nature of the victim’s position. The Police Judicial unit has taken charge of the case, focusing on reconstructing the sequence of events and identifying potential leads. As the search continues, the Castillo family remains hopeful that the truck will be recovered. The incident highlights the challenges faced by residents and officials in maintaining security during peak tourist periods. With the ongoing efforts of law enforcement, the hope is that the stolen vehicle, and its contents, will soon be located.