Crime scene
WILLEMSTAD--Two armed men robbed the McDonald's branch on Dr. Maalweg at Saliña in Curaçao on Tuesday evening, escaping with an entire cash register drawer.
According to initial reports, the suspects approached the drive-through window unexpectedly. At least one was carrying a firearm.
The bandits forced the window to remain open and managed to pull the cash register drawer out before fleeing the scene. However, the amount of cash taken was reportedly limited because the franchise now processes a substantial portion of its transactions electronically.
The incident left employees badly shaken. Several police units responded to the scene after receiving a report of an armed robbery.
According to preliminary information, the suspects fled in the direction of a nearby school. Officers immediately searched the surrounding area in an attempt to locate the perpetrators, but no arrests were made.
The Robbery Investigation Team and forensic experts were also called in to examine the restaurant and collect evidence that could help identify those responsible. Authorities are looking into the circumstances surrounding the robbery and attempting to establish the suspects' identities.
No injuries were reported in the initial information available about the incident.
This is not the first time McDonald's on Dr. Maalweg has been targeted by criminals. In March 2022, two armed men robbed the same establishment and escaped with three cash register drawers. Police pursued the suspects following that incident but were unable to apprehend them.
More recently, in August 2026, the restaurant was targeted during a burglary in which the drive-through window was forced open. That incident was part of a series of similar burglaries involving fast-food outlets across Curaçao.
The latest robbery again involved a drive-through window, although authorities have not
established whether Tuesday's incident is connected to any of the previous crimes.
These repeated incidents raise concerns about security at businesses operating late into the evening, particularly establishments with drive-through facilities. Such locations can be vulnerable because employees must interact with customers through exterior service windows.
In Tuesday's robbery, the suspects were able to reach the cash register drawer directly through the window before escaping. The increasing use of electronic payments appears to have limited the amount of cash stolen, although the exact value of the proceeds has not been disclosed.
Police investigators are continuing their efforts to identify and locate the two suspects. As of initial reports, no arrests were announced and authorities had not released further information about the perpetrators or their possible whereabouts.
