No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaForeigner caught stealing hours after being detained for threatening neighbors with machete

Foreigner caught stealing hours after being detained for threatening neighbors with machete

A Swedish man had the unique dishonor of being apprehended twice in the same day on Tuesday in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula.

The 25-year-old man, identified only by the last name Andersson, was first detained in the Pacific coastal canton of Nandayure after officers from the National Police Force said he threatened his neighbors there with a machete. A police report said the suspect appeared to be under the influence of drugs: he was yelling that he saw pigs running around and he was going to kill them.

Coast Guard officials from Puerto Coyote in Nandayure detained the foreigner and handed him over to judicial authorities. However, he was almost immediately released because none of the neighbors presented a formal complaint, according to the National Police Force’s report.

Less than five hours later, police said, Andersson entered a store in the town center of Nicoya where he began reprimanding the cashiers before trying to rob various items. Andersson was captured in the middle of committing the crime, police said. They easily detained him and sent him to the Prosecutor’s Office for processing in the flagrancy courts.

Local police said that this is not Andersson’s first run-in with authorities, and that he has been detained before on various occasions on accusations of drug consumption, damaging property, and starting fights.

Trending Now

Man Allegedly Collected North American Woman’s Pension for 20 Years

Costa Rican prosecutors are investigating a man suspected of collecting about $800,000 from the pension of a North American woman who died more than...

Former Costa Rica Health Minister’s Trial Delayed After Lawyer Leaves Case

The trial of former Health Minister Joselyn Chacón has been postponed until October after a court ruled that her attorney had abandoned the defense...

Guanacaste Airport Outpaces Costa Rica’s Main Airport

Costa Rica welcomed more than 2 million international tourists during the first seven months of 2026, but the clearest sign of change was not...

Costa Rica Estate Becomes Refuge for Rare Agami Heron

Around 1,000 agami herons have made a private estate in Guatuso their home, creating an unusual concentration of one of the most elusive heron...

Costa Rica Audit Finds 157 Unfinished Works and Safety Risks on Route 32

A new technical audit of the Route 32 expansion has identified 157 unfinished works, unstable slopes and road-safety problems along the highway connecting central...

Five Costa Rican Surfers Advance at Playa Hermosa WSL Event

Five Costa Rican surfers remain in contention at the Garabito Surf City Pro after advancing to the round of 32 at the World Surf...

Costa Rica Highway Project Faces Questions Over Removal of Wildlife Routes

An internal audit at Costa Rica’s National Roadway Council (Conavi) has warned that construction work on the Barranca-Limonal highway disrupted natural overhead routes used...

Paulo Wanchope expected back at Herediano for a third spell in charge

The former Manchester City and West Ham striker is reported to be closing an agreement to take over at Herediano, a job he has held twice before. The club has not announced it.

Possible Archaeological Find in Costa Rica Delays Water Project

A long-awaited project to bring piped drinking water to Isla Caballo has hit another delay after crews uncovered ceramic pieces, shells and fossil material...
🌴 The Weekly Pura Vida

Costa Rica, Once a Week

The week's top stories, weather & insider tips — delivered every Sunday. One email, zero clutter.

🔒 Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel