Two Arrested After Kidnapping Attempt on Calle Larga — Victims Rescued, Fake Gun Recovered
Cuenca Expat Staff
What Happened
In the early morning hours of Saturday, April 26, two men in a BMW intercepted two people on Calle Larga — one of Cuenca's busiest nightlife and restaurant corridors.
The suspects threatened their victims with what appeared to be a firearm and forced them into the vehicle. The incident was reported to police, who launched an immediate search.
The Chase
National Police tracked the BMW out of Cuenca and into Cañar province, finally intercepting the vehicle in Ayancay. Both victims were rescued during the operation.
When police searched the BMW, they recovered the weapon — which turned out to be a replica firearm, not a real gun.
The Suspects
Two men were detained. According to Lieutenant Colonel Pablo Inga of the National Police, at least one of the suspects has prior criminal records.
Both have been charged with attempted kidnapping. A fiscal instruction has been opened for 30 days. However, both suspects received substitutive measures rather than preventive detention — meaning they must appear before authorities periodically and cannot leave the country.
They are not in jail.
What This Means for You
Calle Larga is where many expats go out at night — bars, restaurants, the river views. This incident happened in the early morning hours, which is when the area gets quieter and more isolated.
Practical safety reminders:
- Don't walk Calle Larga alone late at night, especially after bars close
- Use a taxi or ride service rather than walking if you're out past midnight
- Keep your phone accessible — in an emergency, ECU 911 works
- Be aware of your surroundings — a car pulling up slowly next to you at 2 AM is a reason to move toward other people
The good news: police responded quickly, the victims were rescued safely, and the suspects were caught. The bad news: both are already out on conditional measures.
Source: El Mercurio
