The Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) called for Costa Ricans to take preventive measures during Easter and avoid being victims of vehicular theft and robbery in the tourist areas of the country.
According to Luis Madrigal, from the OIJ of Garabito, criminals take advantage of carelessness of the victims, force the doors and break vehicles’ windows, especially if they’re 4×4 vehicles.
There are specific areas such as Playa Hermosa that have quite an affluence and we have detected that many tourists leave the articles very visible in their vehicles, facilitating the detection for criminals,”
explained the official.
Madrigal confirmed that during Easter both vehicle thefts increase mainly between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
In 2016, the OIJ recorded 224 vehicle thefts in the Jacó sector alone. According to Madrigal, in the area there have been arrested 3 gangs that operated stealing people’s belongings, especially from tourists. However, they ask the public to follow a series of recommendations.
In addition, a call was made not to leave valuables on the beach, while enjoying at sea, as the theft of cell phones and computers is common.
1- Do not park vehicles away from safety zones.
2- Do not leave valuables in the vehicle.
3- Be alert to suspicious people.