Crime Beat

Costa Rica

National Police: Property crime down in Limón from last year

L. Arias - July 14, 2017

The National Police received 2,512 complaints for property crimes during the first half of this year, representing a 13.6 percent drop from the same period of 2016.

Men caught with one ton of drugs in Costa Rica allowed to walk free, police say

April 14, 2017

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

April 5, 2017

Salvadoran man deported from United States suspected in murder at San José hotel

April 4, 2017

Two Costa Ricans investigated for role in international child porn ring

April 4, 2017

Costa Rica

Three inmates suffer burns, 127 evacuated during prison mutiny in San José

L. Arias - March 30, 2017

Three of the prisoners had burns on various parts of their bodies; others suffered respiratory problems caused by smoke.

Costa Rica

Costa Rican prosecutors investigate luxury condominium fraud in Central Valley

The Tico Times - February 20, 2017

On Monday, Costa Rican prosecutors announced they are launching an investigation of real estate group Homes Grupo Inmobilario for various developments in the Central Valley.

Costa Rica

Attempted robbery goes awry when burglar gets caught in window

The Tico Times - January 30, 2017

A would-be robber got a taste of karma this weekend in Liberia, Costa Rica when he got trapped in the window of the house he tried to steal from.

Costa Rica

Notorious crime family members indicted; alleged ties to Costa Rican sportsbook

The Tico Times - December 16, 2016

Members from the famed Genovese crime family were arrested Thursday after being linked to a Costa Rican-based bookmaking operation.

Costa Rica

Costa Rican tourism cop locked up and robbed at police station

The Tico Times - December 13, 2016

Two men held up a cop in Santa Teresa and locked him in his own station before stealing three pistols, tourism police say.

Crime

Judge approves extradition of Mexican drug lord Joaquín ‘El Chapo’ Guzmán

The Tico Times - October 20, 2016

Infamous Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán is one step closer to extradition to the United States after a Thursday ruling.

Costa Rica

Park rangers arrested in drug bust

The Tico Times - August 22, 2016

Two park rangers were among those arrested Monday in a raid on a drug organization that officials say grew and shipped marijuana from southern Costa Rica.

Costa Rica

San José to get nearly 100 new security cameras

L. Arias - August 9, 2016

Araya said the municipality is investing approximately ₡360 million ($647,000) in improving the city’s video surveillance system, which currently has 120 cameras mainly in downtown San José.

Costa Rica

Judge orders closure of overcrowded San Sebastián prison

The Tico Times - August 1, 2016

Costa Rica's notorious San Sebastián prison must be closed within 18 months, according to a judge's ruling that cited rampant overcrowding and inhumane conditions at the prison.

Costa Rica

Four U.S. men charged in connection with billion-dollar Costa Rica sportsbook operation

The Tico Times - July 1, 2016

Four U.S. men allegedly running The WagerSpot and Hustler247 sportsbooks were charged recently in the U.S. in connection with an illegal sports betting ring headquartered in San José, Costa Rica.