Republican Councilwoman Arrested for Theft of $327,000 in Merchandise at Coquimbo Mall

Original article: Acusada de “mechera”: concejala del Partido Republicano fue detenida en Coquimbo por hurto de $327 mil en especies

The National Congress of Councilors organized by the Chilean Municipalities Association ended with a controversial incident directly impacting the Republican Party, which has prominently championed discussions around order and security as key political platforms.

The central figure in this case is Yanela Flores, a councilwoman from the Republican Party in Lumaco, La Araucanía region, who was detained by police in Coquimbo after being accused of stealing merchandise valued at $327,000 from two stores in the Vivo mall.

The incident took place while Coquimbo was hosting a meeting organized by the AChM, which brought together nearly 800 councilors from across the country with the goal of «strengthening municipal council work and projecting a common agenda from local territories».

Accused of Theft at Vivo Mall in Coquimbo

According to reports from local media, including El Día newspaper, Flores was initially detained by mall security after being accused of stealing items from the Ripley and Sunglass stores.

«According to police information, the procedure began after mall security apprehended a woman accused of stealing various items from the Ripley and Sunglass stores. After reviewing security footage and the corresponding documents, the woman was taken to a police unit,» the media outlet detailed.

Flores serves as a councilwoman for Lumaco and is a member of the Republican Party. In the 2024 municipal elections, she secured the second-highest number of votes in her commune. Previously, in 2021, she was elected as an independent on a list associated with the same party, which is now part of the ruling coalition.

Republican Party Under Pressure Over Councilwoman’s Theft Allegation

While the investigation will determine the facts and potential responsibilities, this incident has already imposed a political cost on the Republican Party. This is not just about a local authority accused of theft; it involves a representative of a party that typically advocates a tough stance against crime.

The contradiction is apparent. As the party continues to position itself as a guarantor of order, one of its councilors has become involved in a police situation during the National Congress of Councilors.

This case has overshadowed the municipal agenda of the meeting and put the spotlight on the political embarrassment facing the Republican Party, following accusations against one of its elected officials who allegedly acted as a «thief» in a Coquimbo shopping center.

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