Most Vehicle Thefts Due To Carelessness

While many take to the beaches and resorts during the first two weeks of July, thieves take advantage of and the carelessness of vehicle owners.



Vehicle theft is a phenomenon that affects the whole world and Costa Rica is no exception.

According to the Organismo de Investigación Judicial (OIJ) from the period of January 2011 to May 2012, a total of 4.580 vehicles were reported stolen. And according to the statistics, the majority were stolen in the provinces of San José, Alajuela and Heredia.

During the reporting period, a total of 1.763 vehicles were reported stolen in San José alone. During the same period, a total of 910 residential thefts were also reported in the province.

The key word in the report is "reported", as many vehicle and home owners do not report break-ins and thefts.

Experts in the subject of security say that a change in culture could prevent many from becoming victims of crime.

With respect to vehicle theft, a majority of the thefts are crimes of opportunity due to the carelessness of the owner.

Many of the owners of stolen vehicles admitted to their negligence or trust of the "wachiman" - the man on the sidewalk who for a few colones will watch your car.

Also at stop lights keeping the windows closed and being aware of your surroundings can prevent or at least lead the criminal to move onto another in a "bajonazo", the theft of the vehicle at gunpoint.

For instance, though we do not prescribe the breaking of the traffic laws, stopped waiting for green light in the middle of the night in some areas of downtown San José is not recommended, especially sitting there with windows rolled down and doors unlocked.

Experts recommend keeping doors locked and windows closed at at all times and gear engaged (for manual shifts) when waiting for a traffic light and at all times keeping an eye in front and side and rear mirrors for unusual activity.

And, while driving keeping an eye to see if you are being followed is advisable. In the event you believe you are being followed, do not stop, make some unusual turns to verify being followed and call 911 or locate the nearest police station to pull into.

But, most important, faced with violence, do not put up resistance.