Police Investigate Violent Restaurant Robbery in Quito

A violent robbery unfolded at a restaurant in northern Quito on the afternoon of July 3, 2026, as armed individuals instilled panic among diners and staff. Security cameras captured the brazen assault.

The incident began when two individuals, their faces concealed by motorcycle helmets, stormed into the restaurant wielding firearms. They quickly subdued everyone present, demanding money from the cash register. The perpetrators operated with apparent coordination.

Security footage reveals that while one assailant held the owner at gunpoint to prevent resistance, the other went behind the counter. During the robbery, the business owner suffered physical aggression, being struck against a counter by the assailants while attempting to protect his belongings. Customers watched in shock as the crime occurred, unable to intervene due to the attackers' superior force and visible weapons.

A particularly tense moment involved a family dining with young children. The parents quickly shielded their kids, who took cover under a table. An elderly man attempted to intervene but was threatened by one of the robbers, who yelled, “Sit down, stay there, old man, you’re going to get yourself killed,” forcing him to remain still.

After seizing the cash, the suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. Despite attempts by the owner and some customers to pursue them, the robbers escaped before authorities could arrive. Investigators are currently analyzing the security footage to identify the perpetrators, reconstruct their escape route, and determine their identities.