Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) is warning drivers in San José after a sharp rise in vehicle break-ins, with 534 complaints filed in the capital during the first months of 2026. The figure means a vehicle is being broken into roughly every four hours and 57 minutes in San José, based on the average cited from OIJ data. The highest-risk period is Tuesday afternoon, especially between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., when investigators say reports tend to rise.
The crime, known locally as tacha de vehículos, usually involves thieves breaking into parked cars to steal items left inside. In many cases, the attack takes only seconds. Drivers often return to find a shattered window, forced lock, or missing belongings. The areas with the most complaints include San José, Montes de Oca, Desamparados, Goicoechea, and Curridabat, while districts with high exposure include busy commercial and urban areas where vehicles are left on the street or in public parking lots.
The OIJ’s Vehicle Theft Section is the unit responsible for investigating crimes tied to stolen vehicles, vehicle break-ins, fraud involving vehicles, altered vehicle markings, and related offenses. The agency lists the section as part of its criminal investigation structure in San José.
The latest warning follows earlier OIJ figures showing 389 vehicle break-in complaints in the first three months of 2026, an average of nearly four cases per day. Investigators said one of the most common methods remains breaking windows, though other cases involve forced locks and, in some reports, signal jammers used to interfere with electronic locking systems.
The items most often targeted are valuables left in plain sight, including laptop computers, bags, cameras, phones, wallets, and documents. The OIJ has repeatedly urged drivers not to leave anything inside a vehicle, even if it appears hidden under a seat or in the trunk.
The warning is especially relevant for residents, office workers, shoppers, and visitors moving through the capital. San José has heavy daily vehicle traffic, crowded commercial districts, and limited secure parking in some areas, creating regular opportunities for thieves.
Authorities recommend parking in guarded or well-lit areas, checking that the vehicle is locked before walking away, and avoiding the habit of using a car as temporary storage. Drivers are also urged to report even minor thefts, since complaints help investigators map crime patterns and identify repeat locations.
The OIJ’s confidential tip line is 800-8000-645.
