On Saturday, April 26, 2025, a well-known meteorologist from Argentina’s Neuquén province became the victim of a robbery whereas attending a community sporting event, according to local news reports. The incident occurred during the afternoon in the city of Neuquén, where the individual was participating in “UNCo Activa 2026,” a traditional race held in the surrounding hills. Authorities confirmed that the victim’s personal belongings, including his mobile phone, wallet containing identification documents and bank cards, and vehicle registration papers, were stolen.
The meteorologist, identified as Fernando Frassetto, is a recognized figure in the region and serves as a representative of the Interjurisdictional Authority of the Basins (AIC), the agency responsible for issuing daily weather forecasts and environmental alerts for the Alto Valle area. His role involves monitoring climatic conditions that could impact agriculture, water resources, and public safety across western Neuquén and neighboring provinces. Frassetto reportedly disclosed the robbery publicly to prevent potential scams targeting his contacts, as criminals might attempt to exploit stolen personal data for fraudulent purposes.
Local police sources told LM Neuquén that the theft appeared to be opportunistic, with the victim possibly having left his vehicle unattended near the race route. The event featured three race categories: a 3-kilometer walk for beginners, a 7-kilometer intermediate route, and a 15-kilometer course for experienced athletes. Participants traversed trails near the university campus and passed through the Provincial University Park Protected Area, a 70-hectare conservation zone adjacent to the city’s academic institutions.
This incident marks the second time Frassetto has been targeted by theft in recent years. Approximately five years prior, he was similarly victimized in a separate robbery, though details of that earlier event were not disclosed in the current report. Following the latest incident, authorities urged members of the public who might uncover any of the stolen documents in public spaces to deliver them to the nearest police station to aid in recovery efforts.
The robbery underscores ongoing concerns about public safety in Neuquén, where residents have reported increasing incidents of petty crime in both urban and recreational areas. While no arrests have been made in connection with this specific case, law enforcement officials continue to investigate and have not ruled out the possibility that the perpetrators were monitoring public events for opportunities to commit theft.
As of the latest available information, no further updates have been released regarding the recovery of the stolen items or the identification of suspects. Individuals with information about the incident are encouraged to contact local authorities through official channels. The meteorologist has not issued additional public statements since initially reporting the crime, focusing instead on resuming his professional duties in weather monitoring and public alert systems for the region.