Quito police investigate bank robbery and explosive device

Five armed men robbed a bank in the La Pradera sector of northern Quito on Thursday morning, November 5, 2026. According to police reports, the suspects threatened security personnel with firearms and stole approximately 6,000 dollars. The perpetrators fled the scene on three motorcycles.

Authorities are investigating a potential connection between the robbery and a backpack containing explosives found at the Complejo Judicial Norte, as well as a bomb alert at a gas station in northern Quito. Patricio Almendáriz, commander of Zone 9 of the Metropolitan District of Quito, stated that investigators believe the same individuals responsible for the bank heist may have left the explosive device at the judicial complex. Police are also considering whether the explosive device was used as a distraction to facilitate the robbery.