IN THE LAST two weeks, Panama was hit by a wave of raids on bars and restaurants by an armed gang who robbed the establishments and customers.

At least 11 establishments, were invaded by a gang whose members have extensive police records, some of whom were identified on surveillance cameras and through intelligence work, according to National Police Director, Omar Pinzon.
He said that the group, composed of Panamanians offenders, first surveyed their potential targets, and then moved in and got large sums of money and escaped in rented vehicles.
He said the company where the criminals rented their escape vehicles, has been identified and in recent weeks police have followed several members and associates of the network, who move around the perimeter of the city.
He anticipated early arrests of members of the criminal network.
Meetings between police and the owners of bars and restaurants are being held to coordinate actions against possible attacks.
Police official Alvin Reyes said Monday, August 18, that silent alarms will be installed in restaurants to notify police if a robbery is taking place.
Reyes said that police patrols will be increased around restaurants in light of the robberies Rino Tamburelli, former president of the Association of Restaurants, called on the authorities to apply heavy punishments against criminals who commit these acts.
Last weekend, the Brujas de Cachiches, in Obarrio, and El Tambal, on Via Porras were attacked

Among otherestablishments that have been invaded are Rana Dorada, El Piloto, The New York Bagels Café, La Hacienda Real, El Peskito de San Francisco.
A witness who was in Cachiches at the time of the assault, said that four young subjects with guns barged into the room when there was about 30 people reports La Prensa.
According to the witness, individuals beat the chef and one of the waiters. Then the robbers robbed customers of their cell phones, wallets and valuable clothing items.
Leopoldo Liakopulos, president of the Panama Restaurant Association said that a high percentage of its 400 members in the city have been assigned to a traders’ Watch program
He said this type of crime can generate a wave of fear in people who usually go to restaurants and have a negative impact on tourism.
He asked the owners of bars and restaurants to take security measures such as purchasing surveillance cameras or hiring security personnel and to report any suspicious incident to authorities.