Armed men forced Chilean journalist Mónica Rincón out of her car in Santiago late on Monday night, Chilean outlets reported on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The suspects fired shots into the air and fled in her vehicle, but she was not hurt.
Key Facts
—Who. Mónica Rincón, a Chilean television journalist described as a CNN Chile anchor.
—What. An armed carjacking (encerrona); suspects fired shots into the air and fled in her car.
—Where. Autopista Central (Route 5), exit toward Costanera Norte heading east, Santiago, Chile.
—When. Around midnight on Monday 19 October; reported on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
—Status. No injuries and no arrests reported; Carabineros units are searching for the suspects.
—As of 20 October 2026, 12:00 GMT
This encerrona, the Chilean word for an armed carjacking, happened on a main urban highway used by Santiago residents and visitors. That makes it relevant for Americans who live in, work in or travel to the Chilean capital.
What We Know
Rincón, a Chilean television journalist described by La Tercera and BioBioChile as a CNN Chile anchor, was on the Autopista Central (Route 5) in Santiago. The incident took place at the exit toward Costanera Norte heading east, late on Monday 19 October, around midnight, according to Chilean media reports.
Armed men forced her out of her vehicle, intimidated her and threatened her. They fired shots into the air, at least two according to BioBioChile.
The suspects then fled in her car. CNN Chile puts the number of suspects at between two and four.
Rincón was not physically assaulted and was not injured, Emol reports. A colleague took her to a police station, according to La Tercera.
Prosecutor Felipe Olivari Vargas of the Fiscalía Metropolitana Centro Norte said the suspects were armed with pistols. In his words, “they intimidate her, threaten her, force her out of the vehicle, fire into the air.”
Olivari also said Rincón asked for no special treatment at the station and is grateful for the police work, BioBioChile reports. La Tercera reports that two Carabineros units, the vehicle search unit SEBV and the forensics unit Labocar, are working to locate the perpetrators.
No arrests have been reported, and the suspects remain at large. Chilean media recall that she reportedly escaped an earlier carjacking attempt after leaving work in 2021.
What Is Not Known
The exact time of the attack has not been confirmed, and reports say only that it happened around midnight. The identity of the suspects is also unknown, and CNN Chile puts their number at between two and four.
The current whereabouts of the stolen vehicle have not been reported. No motive beyond robbery has been reported either.
No timeline for the Carabineros search has been given. This article reflects only what La Tercera, BioBioChile and Emol had confirmed by 12:00 GMT on 20 October 2026.
What It Means for Travelers and US Readers
The Autopista Central is a main urban highway used by Santiago residents and visitors, so travellers should follow local security advice. This report does not rate the risk of any route or district.
US readers with plans in Santiago can check current guidance from their own government and from their hotel or host. Visitors who use cars or ride services should follow local advice on routes and night travel.
The case drew attention because the victim is a television journalist, and three Chilean outlets reported the details on the same day. Americans following Chile from afar can read it as a single reported incident, not as a measure of any wider trend.
Investigators are now working to locate the suspects, and prosecutors have set that search in motion. Further details will depend on what the police and the Fiscalía confirm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Mónica Rincón?
Mónica Rincón is a Chilean television journalist, described by La Tercera and BioBioChile as a CNN Chile anchor. She was the victim of the armed carjacking in Santiago reported on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
What happened to Mónica Rincón in Santiago?
Armed men forced her out of her vehicle on the Autopista Central, threatened her and fired shots into the air. They fled in her car, and she was not injured.
Have there been arrests in the carjacking?
No arrests have been reported, and the suspects remain at large. The Carabineros units SEBV and Labocar are working to locate the perpetrators.
What should travellers in Santiago do?
Travellers should follow local security advice and check guidance from their own government. This report does not rate the risk of any route and makes no claim about crime levels in Chile.