Incident Details:
- Date: February 24, 2023
- Time: Around 1:00 PM
- Location: Korean restaurant located 400 meters southwest of the Japanese Embassy in the northern part of Quito
1. Incident Overview:
- Victims: Two restaurant patrons were shot and had their cash stolen. Fortunately, they did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Two Japanese nationals were present at the restaurant at the time but were neither injured nor had their belongings stolen.
- Robbery Details: The perpetrator, armed with a handgun, entered the restaurant, threatened the victims, and fired shots at them when they resisted. The robbers fled on a motorcycle with an accomplice. The robbery targeted cash withdrawn from the bank before visiting the restaurant, a technique known as “Sakapintas,” which specifically targets individuals carrying large amounts of cash after banking transactions.
2. Safety Precautions:
- Avoid Handling Large Amounts of Cash: Minimize the use of large amounts of cash and, if necessary, request police protection by calling 911.
- Travel in Groups: When going out, try to travel with others, and stick to well-lit, busy areas and establishments.
- In Case of Robbery:
- Do Not Resist: Robbers may have accomplices or weapons, and resistance could increase the risk.
- Avoid Eye Contact: Do not try to memorize the robbers’ faces, as this might make you a target.
- Do Not Reach for Belongings: Do not attempt to access your pockets or bag without the robbers’ permission, as this could be interpreted as an attempt to resist or contact authorities.
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