Drivers of public transport in Quito are sounding the alarm about a surge in thefts and snatchings on key routes connecting the city with its surrounding valleys.

A recent viral video captured three police officers responding to a robbery on a bus in Miravalle, offering a glimpse into the daily challenges faced by drivers and passengers alike.

Police Intervention Caught on Camera

Henry Tapia, commander of the Quito Metropolitan Police, explained that motorcycle units responded to an attempted robbery inside a bus in the northeastern part of the city.

Upon arrival, officers detained two suspects, searched them, and found no weapons or stolen items. Due to the lack of evidence and the absence of formal complaints from the public, the suspects were released.

Tapia highlighted in an interview with Teleamazonas that the lack of citizen cooperation—such as filing official complaints—hampers their ability to take further action.

Drivers Demand Action

For many drivers, the Miravalle incident is just the tip of the iceberg. According to a Teleamazonas report, robberies have become more frequent since late 2024.

Denis Chuzi, a driver, described how thieves often board buses one by one along routes like the Lucha de los Pobres sector. Once aboard, they either snatch belongings or use intimidation to rob passengers.

Drivers are urging authorities to increase security measures in high-risk areas such as El Paseo, Miravalle, and the nearby interchange.

For now, the growing concern over safety remains a pressing issue for both passengers and transport workers in Quito.

Source: Primicias.

The Lobos, a major narco-criminal gang in Ecuador, has splintered, and the fallout is raising concerns about a potential spike in violent crime in Quito. Similar divisions within the gang have already caused deadly violence in other regions like Manabí and Azuay. According to Ecuadorian police, three rival leaders are now vying for control of the capital's drug trade, intensifying the risks of violent confrontations.

Who Are the Key Figures?

The Lobos' internal split has given rise to a faction known as the Lobos Invisibles. The group is reportedly led by three individuals with extensive criminal histories:

- Fabricio Colón Pico (*alias* "El Salvaje"): Recently sentenced for threatening the State Attorney General and her young daughter.

- Elvis Conde (*alias* "Maduro"): Convicted of murdering lawyer Harrison Salcedo and implicated in a prison escape in early 2024.

- Danny Córdova (*alias* "Comandante M" or "Fuerte"): Also a key player in the escalating rivalry.

These individuals are fighting for dominance in Quito’s lucrative drug market, where cocaine and marijuana are the most trafficked substances.

Practical Implications and Actions to Take

The escalating violence could significantly impact safety in Quito, particularly if authorities are unable to contain the gang disputes. To minimize risks:

1. Stay Informed: Monitor news and official safety alerts for updates on high-risk areas.

2. Avoid Certain Neighborhoods: Refrain from visiting areas known for drug activity or violence.

3. Plan Travel Carefully: Consider secure transportation options and avoid traveling alone at night.

Source: La Hora.

Primicias has published an article with crime statistics for the first half of 2024 for the Quito metropolitan area. In this article, the first half of 2024 is compared to the first half of 2023. It appears that most crime numbers have increased compared to last year. Note that most crime is not reported and therefore isn't included in the statistics.

Some statistics

• The three most dangerous districts are Eloy Alfaro, Eugenio Espejo, and La Delicia. These three districts account for 59% of the 6,746 crimes that were reported in the Quito metropolitan area in the first six months of 2024.

• Car theft skyrockets. Between January 1 and June 23, 2024, the police counted 1,232 stolen vehicles, compared to 675 in 2023. These numbers show an increase of 573 incidents, equivalent to 83%.

• Motorcycle theft also skyrockets. So far in 2024, the police have recorded an increase of 27% compared to the same period in 2023.

• Fewer robberies of commercial premises and homes. In the first case, the drop was 32%, and in the second, 30%.

• Fewer detainees. Despite the increase in crimes committed in Quito, the number of detainees by the National Police shows a drop. The official report of the entity indicates that the 95,388 operations carried out between January 1 and June 24, 2024, resulted in 5,097 detainees. This is fewer than the 5,184 apprehended in the same period of 2023.

• Fewer recovered motorcycles. The number of recovered motorcycles went from 216 to 196.

• Fewer seized firearms. The number of confiscated firearms was reduced from 294 to 286.

• More recovered cars. So far this year, the police have recovered 304 vehicles, compared to 223 in the same period of 2023.

Scopolamine robberies in the La Pradera neighborhood

The article mentions the La Pradera neighborhood for scopolamine robberies. This neighborhood is located directly south of Parque La Carolina and is popular for its nightlife. It has a high number of robbery victims. In this neighborhood, criminals operate around the bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. After identifying their victims, they steal their belongings using scopolamine.

An Example of violent cellphone robbery

The article gives an example of a violent cellphone robbery in the La Villaflora neighborhood, which is part of the Eloy Alfaro district, one of the three most dangerous districts of Quito:

The cellphone theft almost cost the life of Andrés S., who, on the night of June 15, 2024, was stabbed by two subjects in the La Villaflora sector, in the south of Quito. The help he received from the residents of the sector prevented him from bleeding to death and allowed him to reach a clinic to receive urgent medical attention. His mother Esthela A. says that her son was returning from a party when he was intercepted by two men, who threatened to kill him if he did not give them his cellphone. "My son objected and was stabbed without any qualms. They almost killed him," she recalls.