Motorcycle crimes causing concern; in Guayaquil, 14.9% of all crimes have been committed on motorbikes in 2015, as Cuenca sees more bag snatches

It only took about three minutes for two men to steal Francisco A.’s truck at the intersection of Octava and Orientein in Guayaquil, last Wednesday.

Motorcycle crime suspect in Guayaquil.

According to his complaint, Francisco was opening his garage door when two men on a motorcycle threatened him with a gun and took his truck.

On Thursday, in the sector of Florida Norte, Bryan G. had his motorcycle stolen by four men riding on two motorbikes.

It was reported that at 8:30 in the evening, he and a friend were going to the Florida Norte market when they were stopped by the individuals on motorcycles. The men pointed a gun at Bryan and told him to get off his motorcycle. One of the four men then took his motorcycle.

Again, on Friday of last week, Iván S. reported that he was in the parish Pradera 3, south of Guayaquil, when he was stopped by two men on a motorcycle who stole $1,000 from him. He had just withdrawn the money from a bank.

Similar motorcycle-based crimes are reported almost daily in Guayaquil.

A study by the Judicial Police revealed that an average of nine crimes per day are committed in Guayaquil by people on motorcycles. 1,876 motorcycle-based crimes were reported in the first half of this year.

Jorge Flores, head of the Judicial Police, said the analysis results showed that there is an increase in these types of crimes. In addition, the sectors where more cases are recorded are the central and north-central parts of the city.

The study also revealed that during the first half of this year, 12,543 crimes of theft were reported. These include robberies of houses and businesses, and car theft.

Flores said that theft has decreased to 210 cases reported in July, while in June 306 crimes of theft were recorded. 302 were reported in May, 273 in April, 271 in March, 243 in February and 271 in January.

Last month, a Dominican Republic man was killed in his car while traveling with his two young children. The alleged murderer and thief committed the crime and fled on a motorcycle.

In June, the crime pattern led to a proposed ordinance that would establish limits on motorcycle riders. Among these limits would be a riding schedule that would restrict motorcyclists to mostly daytime hours.

The proposal has launched a public debate. At the heart of conflict is the claim that the restrictions would violate a civil right. According to Article 66, paragraph 14 of the Constitution of Ecuador, the people have the right to travel freely throughout the country.

Motorcycle crimes are also on the increase in Quito, although they represent only about 8% of crimes, according to National Police.

In Cuenca, there have been several recent cases of motorcycle-riding thieves grabbing purses and computer bags from cars stopped in traffic.

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Source: El Universo, El Tiempo