Band of Thieves Targets Newly Arrived Tourists

A band of thieves that operates near Juan Santamaría International Airport, in northwest of San José, has generated concern among local authorities.

The band, which has operated since late 2005, has targeted U.S., German, Canadian

and Dutch tourists who arrived at night and rented a car to drive to San José, according to the daily La República.

So far this year, the band has carried out 15 assaults on tourists by intercepting their rental cars. The Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) described that number as alarming.

“It’s shocking, a phenomenon that worries us,” OIJ director Jorge Rojas told the daily, adding that they are addressing the problem.