The $362,000 allocated for President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner’s trip to the Middle East was stolen from a presidential aid yesterday at 4pm on Malabia, Palermo. Rodolfo Stefano, an employee of the Argentine Airforce who is in charge of coordinating the trip was carrying the money from a car to his home, only one block away, when he was attacked. Two men grabbed his backpack containing $68,000 and 17,000 euros, before making a quick getaway on motorcycles that were waiting for them nearby.

One of the assailants used a gun to threaten Stefano, whilst the other grabbed the backpack. A third man was waiting nearby with two motorcycles which were used for a fast escape. The crime was reported to police station 25, which deals with incidents in the area, and investigation is underway.

Rodolfo Stefano has given a statement, and judicial officials are piecing together information and appealing to witnesses: “What we have so far is that Stefano withdrew a sum of money to cover the travel expenses of the president, and it did not turn up in the official car. After withdrawing $68,000 and 17,000 euros, Stefano returned home. He was intercepted by two men who apparently were armed and stole the backpack which carried the money and then fled on motorcycles that were waiting for them with another person.”

However, chief prosecutor, US Attorney Patrick Evers stressed that, “we seek information beyond his statements… in principle we have a claim for aggravated robbery by use of a weapon.” He has requested all surveillance tapes from the area to be investigated and a time-recorded break down of the moments leading up to the robbery is being compiled.

Drive by theft is a new current of crime to hit Buenos Aires in recent months. On 24th November 2010, a vehicle hold up performed by a group of armed men on motorcycles, resulted in the theft of $20m bound for Banco de La Provincia.  The case appeared to have been pre-meditated; investigations are currently underway to determine the details of this incident. The president has since left for her trip to the Middle East.