A man armed with a knife robbed an optical shop on one of Ensenada’s main commercial streets on Friday evening, May 8, taking roughly 10,000 pesos (about $500 USD) from the cash register before fleeing on foot.
The robbery took place at approximately 7:19 p.m. at the Yinelli optical shop, located at the corner of Avenida Juárez and Calle Iturbide. The suspect, described as wearing a black hoodie and black cap, entered the store and threatened an employee with a knife. He then emptied the register and left the commercial plaza where the shop is located.
Police Launch Search Operation
Ensenada police deployed a security operation in the surrounding blocks to locate the suspect. As of the last report, he had not been apprehended. No injuries were reported during the incident.
Avenida Juárez is one of Ensenada’s primary commercial corridors, running through the downtown core. The street is lined with shops, restaurants, and service businesses. It sits just blocks from the tourist waterfront area along Boulevard Costero and the cruise ship terminal. The intersection with Calle Iturbide places the robbery in the heart of the city’s retail district.
A Familiar Corridor for Visitors
For expats and visitors who know Ensenada, Avenida Juárez is a daily-errand street: banks, pharmacies, electronics stores, and small businesses. The commercial plaza where Yinelli operates is typical of the area, with multiple storefronts sharing a single entrance. Robberies targeting retail shops along this corridor, while not an everyday occurrence, are not unheard of.
The 10,000-peso haul, equivalent to roughly $500 USD at current exchange rates, is consistent with the typical end-of-day cash on hand at a small retail business. Police have not released further details about the suspect or whether security camera footage is being reviewed.
This incident was first reported by Ensenada.net.