Another Restaurant Hit by Thieves Near Puente Roto — Right on Cuenca's Most Popular River Walk

What Happened

If you've ever walked the Paseo Tres de Noviembre along the Tomebamba River — and if you live in Cuenca, you almost certainly have — you've probably passed Pumaspungo Resto Bar. It's right near Puente Roto, one of the most photographed and visited spots in the city.

On Wednesday morning, an employee arrived to reopen the restaurant after the Carnaval holiday (the restaurant had been closed Monday and Tuesday for the feriado) and found the place ransacked. Interior doors had been forced open, and the place was turned upside down.

Police believe the thieves entered through the roof of the building.

The Investigation

Agents from the Policía Judicial (PJ) responded to the scene, collected evidence, and reviewed security camera footage to try to identify the suspects. The total value of the damages and stolen items hasn't been disclosed yet.

A Pattern in El Centro

This isn't an isolated incident. Business owners in Cuenca's historic center have been reporting a troubling trend: suspicious individuals scouting commercial properties at night and in the early morning hours.

The Carnaval holiday created a perfect window — many businesses were closed for multiple days, leaving storefronts unattended. Thieves took advantage.

In response, some business owners in the area are organizing on their own:

• Installing community alarm systems that alert neighboring businesses
• Setting up shared video surveillance networks
• Demanding increased police patrols during nighttime hours, especially around holidays

What This Means for You

The Paseo Tres de Noviembre and the Puente Roto area remain safe for walking during the day — this was a commercial burglary during a holiday closure, not a street crime targeting individuals. But it's worth noting:

• If you own a business in El Centro, consider connecting with neighboring shop owners about shared security measures. Community alarm systems are relatively inexpensive and effective as deterrents.
• Holiday weekends are high-risk periods for commercial break-ins. If your business will be closed for multiple days, consider extra precautions: visible security cameras, interior lights on timers, and alerting a neighbor to keep an eye out.
• Report suspicious activity to the Policía Nacional at 911 or your local UPC (Unidad de Policía Comunitaria).

Source: El Mercurio