On August 5, 2026, a heavily pregnant shopkeeper was violently assaulted during a robbery at a sportswear store on Avenida Gilberto Elizalde, Argentina. CCTV footage shows at least four thieves entering the premises, with one acting as a lookout while the others, carrying shopping bags, confronted the staff.
Attack Unfolded in Seconds
The first man seized the owner's daughter-in-law, Maria, and forced her to the back of the store. Meanwhile, two others grabbed the owner, Gabriela, 39, as she attempted to flee toward the street. They punched her, threw her to the floor, and dragged her along the ground as she resisted. The assault continued until she stopped moving.
A third robber emptied the cash register and stole merchandise during the attack. When the men tried to leave, Gabriela got up and attempted to block their exit, but she was beaten a second time before they escaped.
Escape and Aftermath
The raiders fled in a red Peugeot Partner van, reportedly driven by a woman, with a second vehicle waiting nearby. Security cameras captured them attempting to steal another car 15 minutes later, but that driver reversed sharply and escaped.
Maria described the ordeal in a television interview: “We had sat down seconds earlier after tidying the shop. When these people came in, and we realised what was happening, we tried to get out. Two people grabbed Gabriela, threw her on the floor, dragged her and attacked her. One of the robbers took me to the back, grabbed me by the hair, threw me on the floor and slapped me so I would not try to look at him. Then he threatened to shoot me.”
Victims Recovering
Gabriela confirmed that both she and her unborn baby were unharmed, though she was left aching and with elevated blood pressure. Her sister Belen said: “The important thing is that she gets better now and stops being affected by her nerves.” The suspects remain at large.
