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By Wendy Anders
Local residents of Quepos, the small port town bordering Manuel Antonio National Park on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, greeting some New Year’s Day would-be robbers with a brutal surprise.
They intervened when they attempted to rob a foreign tourist; and didn’t stop till his car was smashed and police came to haul him off, reported CRHoy.com citing local tourist police sources.
Local tourist police in the Puntarenas province town said the “citizen arrest” was perfectly legitimate under Costa Rica law; though no mention was made of the thrashing they gave his car.
Carlos Hidalgo, Public Safety Ministry spokesman said to CRHoy.com, “the situation is being handled by the tourist police as an attempt made to rob a foreigner. The tourist didn’t wish to file a complaint since nothing was stolen from him.”
The three alleged attempted robbers, all men, were prevented by locals from fleeing until police arrived and detained them for investigation, said CRHoy.com.
Meanwhile yesterday, Costa Rican police issued a warning to tourists visiting the Pacific coast province of Puntarenas to take measures to protect their safety and their belongings.
With beaches flooded with tourists starting in November and into March, police increase their presence to prevent an increase in crime targeting visitors.
Police are running road check points, street patrols, and special operations on beaches, at commercial premises, and near ATMs and other vulnerable places, they said in a press statement.
