The 'Spider Girls' return

last updated 8 January 2015

Santiago, Chile

Two members of Chile's "Spider Girls" burglary gang were caught in the act last week, the latest chapter in a crime spree that became a national phenomenon. The gang of teenagers is known for using ropes to scale the walls of high-rise buildings and break into luxury apartments. "We did it because we wanted money in our pockets," said a former gang member. "We like to buy new clothes." Authorities thought they had seen the last of the gang. Several were arrested and convicted last year, and sentenced to reform school because they were minors. But at least one returned to a life of crime after her release, and recruited another member; those two were arrested last week climbing up a building. Both were described by police as "heavily pregnant."