Leandro “Lele” Gatti emerges from Mr. Jones, the nightclub where he works as a DJ in Playa Grande, Mar del Plata. It’s nearly six in the morning on Sunday, September 26, 2021. The darkness envelops him as he hears the sound of the sea. Two individuals on a Benelli motorcycle approach him in the parking lot – Luis Itzcovich at the handlebars and José Maximiliano Vergara as the passenger. Eduardo Urra Zapata supports them from the driver’s seat of a Renault Clio. Vergara, brandishing a weapon, demands Gatti’s backpack, believed to contain the club’s earnings of three to four million pesos. Refusing, Gatti struggles and is shot in the chest. The thieves soon realize their mistake – Gatti’s bag holds no money, only a computer and work items like headphones and cables.
The robbery, orchestrated with insider information from Mr. Jones’ head of security, Fernando Romito, shocks the public and triggers a swift response from authorities.
Investigations swiftly point to Romito’s involvement in planning the crime based on employee movements and the timing of cash transfers. The tragic incident prompts public outcry, prompting the Minister of Security, Sergio Berni, to travel to Mar del Plata. Itzcovich surrenders the next day, and Romito is apprehended ten days later. Vergara is captured a year and a half afterwards, while Urra Zapata remains at large. In May 2025, a criminal court finds Vergara and Itzcovich guilty of aggravated robbery resulting in homicide, with Romito deemed an accessory. Subsequently, Vergara receives a 15-year sentence, Romito 14 years, and Itzcovich 13 and a half years.
Beyond the legal consequences, Romito faces collective condemnation for his role in orchestrating the plan that led to the DJ’s murder.
Romito, a tall, fair-haired man from a middle-class family, had previously worked as a security chief at Mr. Jones, where he interacted closely with Gatti. Despite his professional demeanor, Romito’s involvement in the crime unveils a darker side to his character. His past as a security professional and failed business owner provides a complex backdrop to his actions leading up to the tragic event.
“Romito’s double life as a security professional and failed entrepreneur raises questions about the pressures and motivations that led to his pivotal role in the botched robbery plan.”
In court, testimonies reveal intricate details of the crime, depicting a meticulously planned heist gone awry due to a series of unfortunate events. The testimonies of the perpetrators shed light on the sequence of events, showcasing the intricate web of relationships and motivations that culminated in Gatti’s untimely demise.
The narrative of the failed robbery underscores the devastating consequences of greed and betrayal, unraveling the intricate dynamics between the perpetrators and their unsuspecting victim.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Romito’s defense attorney vehemently maintains his innocence, painting him as a mere pawn in a larger scheme. The attorney’s arguments shed light on overlooked angles of the case, hinting at potential alternative motives and unexplored leads that could provide a different perspective on the crime.
The defense’s alternate narrative challenges the prosecution’s version of events, suggesting a more nuanced understanding of Romito’s role in the tragic incident.
The aftermath of the trial leaves the victim’s family grappling with grief and seeking closure, as they confront the perpetrators in search of justice. Their emotional pleas for accountability underscore the profound impact of the crime on their lives and the lasting scars it has left on their family.
The emotional aftermath of the trial highlights the enduring pain and quest for justice experienced by the victim’s family, as they navigate the complexities of loss and betrayal.
Amidst conflicting accounts and unresolved questions, the story of betrayal and tragedy surrounding Gatti’s death serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of trust and the devastating consequences of deceit. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the botched robbery, the echoes of the crime linger, urging reflection on the darker aspects of human nature and the profound implications of betrayal.
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