Facts and Figures Kidnap Express (Secuestro Express) Guayquil Ecuador

The kidnap express or “secuestro express” continues to plague residents of Guayaquil Ecuador. Below are some key facts and figures regarding this crime modality. There was some reduction in this type offense in 2011 compared to 2010.

1. 50% of express kidnappings occur in yellow taxis.
2. 23% of express kidnapping occur in pirate taxis.
3. 27% of express kidnappings occur in owner’s vehicle.
4. Main goal of the assailant in a kidnap express is robbery of the victim’s cash and personal items, not murder.
5. There are two bodies that record kidnap express statistics. The numbers for Guayaquil are:
January – December 2010 — 769 recorded by OSEC.
January – December 2011 — 663 recorded by OSEC
January – December 2010 — 321 recorded by ESPOL
January December 2011 — 203 recorded by ESPOL
6. 70 % of express kidnappings occur between 18:00 and 24:00 hours.
7. Victims are often left off by assailants in Atarazana, Bellavista, Guayacanes, Bastion Popular or the Duran-Tambo areas.
8. One of the most common modus operandi by criminal assailants is to assault the taxi at a stoplight.
9. Another method of kidnap is by the criminal(s) intercepting the victim after he has left an ATM and he is forced into a vehicle.
10. So far in 2012 sixty cases have been reported.
11. A high number of kidnap expresses are conducted in Atarazana, 9 de Octubre, and Urdesa.
12. Remember that many victims don’t report being a victim of this type of crime.
SOURCE: OSEC, ESPOL