A punga is a thief who takes advantage of the victim's carelessness.
Punga is a colloquial term used in several South American countries to name an assailant. The concept that is used specifically in reference to the thief who steals objects from his victim's pocket, purse, or purse, without the latter realizing it.
For example: “My parents told me to be careful with the pungas who steal on the train” , “Stop it! “That man is a punga who just stole my wallet,” “The spectators beat a punga who was stealing in the middle of the concert and threw him out of the square.”
How pungas work
The pungas do not threaten their victims nor do they intend to commit the robbery through intimidation with weapons. Their actions are based on stealth, carefully removing the personal belongings of the person being assaulted so that they do not notice. That's why they perform on public transportation or in massive shows : the crowding of people makes their task easier.
In recent years we have witnessed how the number of pungas, for example, that “operate” in the subway has increased. Thus, in Madrid the police and security guards have had to reinforce their presence at certain times due to the existence of groups of pungas who do not hesitate to take advantage of the crowds that occur on this transport to steal wallets , cell phones or any other type of valuable object.
Due to its mode of action, the punga usually receives light punishments.
Police tips
The police authorities do not hesitate to give a series of advice to ordinary citizens to ensure that they do not become victims of pungas or pickpockets:
- When you are in crowds, whether on the street or in transportation, never leave your backpack or purse on your back or any valuable object in the back pockets of your pants. Everything valuable that you carry with you should always be in sight.
- Always be alert when you are in spaces with a lot of people.
- When going out and preparing your bag or backpack, you should always put the most valuable objects at the bottom and on top of them other items that have no value, such as a pack of tissues, a bottle of water. …
- Bags should always be carried across the chest as a shoulder bag.
- When you go to have a drink in a cafeteria or when you go to eat in a restaurant, you should never leave your bag or backpack on the table or on the back of the chair.
The punishment of a punga
Detaining a punga is usually complicated. As soon as they commit the robbery, they blend into the crowd to avoid detection. When someone observes them in action, they usually throw what they have stolen on the ground, getting rid of the evidence of the crime . The use of video cameras can help find a punga and prove his guilt.
By not using weapons or exercising violence , on the other hand, the legal punishment that falls to the pungas is light. Generally, if the crime and guilt can be proven, they are convicted of theft .