WILLEMSTAD – Two armed men robbed the McDonald's restaurant on Dr. Maalweg in Saliña on Tuesday evening, November 3, 2026, escaping with an entire cash register drawer after targeting the restaurant's drive-thru window.
According to initial reports, the two suspects approached the drive-thru window unexpectedly. At least one of the men was carrying a firearm.
The robbers forced the window to remain open and managed to pull the cash register drawer out of the restaurant before fleeing the scene.
Although the suspects succeeded in stealing the drawer, the amount of cash taken was reportedly limited because the restaurant now processes a substantial portion of its transactions electronically.
Employees Left Shaken by Robbery
The incident left restaurant employees badly shaken.
Several police units responded to the scene after receiving a report of the armed robbery.
According to preliminary information, the suspects fled in the direction of a nearby school.
Police officers immediately searched the surrounding area in an attempt to locate the perpetrators, but no arrests were made.
The Police Robbery Investigation Team and forensic investigators were also called in to examine the restaurant and collect evidence that could help identify those responsible.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the robbery and attempting to establish the suspects' identities.
No injuries were reported in the initial information available about the incident.
Restaurant Previously Targeted by Criminals
This is not the first time the McDonald's restaurant 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-thru window was forced open.
That incident was part of a series of similar burglaries involving fast-food restaurants across Curaçao.
The latest robbery again involved the drive-thru window, although authorities have not established whether Tuesday's incident is connected to any of the previous crimes.
Police Investigation Continues
The repeated incidents at the Saliña restaurant raise concerns about security at businesses operating late into the evening, particularly establishments with drive-thru 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 drive-thru 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 the initial reports, no arrests had been announced, and authorities had not released further information about the perpetrators or their possible whereabouts.