No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeNewsTourists Bound and Robbed in Santa Teresa: Attackers Impersonate Police in High-End...

Tourists Bound and Robbed in Santa Teresa: Attackers Impersonate Police in High-End Heist

A violent crime occurred in one of Costa Rica’s most touristic places. As reported by the police, a group of Israeli tourists was bound, beaten, and robbed at a luxurious villa in Santa Teresa de Cóbano on Sunday night.

The attack, which occurred around 8:00 p.m., targeted a total of ten individuals, including both male and female vacationers and the villa’s owner, a resident of Costa Rica. As part of the robbery, which was extensively captured on security cameras, the criminals tied up the security guard.

The footage shows that the perpetrators, dressed in police uniforms, arrived at the villa in two high-end vehicles. The group consisted of eight individuals who executed the attack with precision.

According to Michael Soto, deputy director of the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ), the judicial police suspect that the criminals may have had specialized training.

“The crime took place in a relatively secluded area. The villa is a high-end residence equipped with its own security measures. The methodical approach and the manner in which the robbers neutralized the victims suggest that they may possess police training or could be former or current police officers,” Soto explained.

The security footage further indicates that the robbers were well-informed about the villa’s layout and security arrangements.

“The level of organization and confidence displayed by the perpetrators implies that they had inside knowledge about the property and knew exactly what they were targeting. This level of preparedness is unusual and points to a high degree of planning,” Soto added.

The ongoing investigation aims to identify and apprehend the suspects. The incident has raised concerns about security in the region and the potential involvement of individuals with law enforcement backgrounds. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue their efforts to solve the case.

Here is the unverified video of the event in progress from the Free Press Journal:

Trending Now

Costa Rica Named Key Drug Hub by European People’s Party Assembly

Members of the European Parliament's Partido Popular Europeo (EPP) have voiced serious worries about Costa Rica's increasing position as a key hub for drug...

Costa Rica Picnic Festival 2026 Lineup Headlined by Christina Aguilera, Maná and Nodal

Picnic Festival organizers revealed the lineup for the 2026 edition yesterday, setting the stage for two days of live music at Centro de Eventos...

Sinkhole Shuts Down Interamericana Sur Near Paso Real for Eight Days

Authorities closed a key section of the Interamericana Sur highway after a sinkhole formed from a collapsed culvert, disrupting travel between Buenos Aires and...

Costa Rica Joins El Salvador in New Security Pact Against Organized Crime

Presidents Nayib Bukele of El Salvador and Rodrigo Chaves of Costa Rica signed the Coatepeque Declaration security pact, forming the Escudo de las Américas...

What to Know About Costa Rica’s Gordo Navideño Lottery

Today marks the day thousands across the country have waited for: the draw of the Gordo Navideño 2025. Run by the Junta de Protección...

Costa Rica’s President Attacks Opponents After He keeps His Immunity

Costa Rica’s President Rodrigo Chaves lashed out at opposition lawmakers after Congress rejected a request to strip him of immunity, a step that could...
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica