Tamarindo Crime

ATM Fraud

2011-04-07T13:32:00.000-06:00

I have had an ATM debit card "skimmed" resulting in about $2500 of fraudulent charges. My financial institution is requesting a police report. Can you help me determine how best to do this in Tamarindo? thanks.

John M

Credit card use

2010-10-10T13:29:00.000-06:00

>
> I would like to report a crime. My atm card was used illegally in Tamarindo at servicios immobiliaros by an unknown person who either found my credit card or swiped it from the restaurant bill/envelope enclosure that was on the table/counter of my friends home near the voodoo lounge. regardless, it was stolen and used illegally to purchase ??? at the above named location. The perpetrators spent $1603.00 between September 14-15th 2010. I have cancelled this card and I tried to report it in person but on several occasions no one was available to help me or file a valid police report which is why I am reporting it on-line via this web site.
> Eve Baldwin

Missing Schnauzer

2010-07-13T13:24:00.000-06:00

Poo. our mini schnauzer has been missing from the beach in front of Sunrise condos since Monday the 12th of July. She was let out by accident by our babysitter- Everyone said they saw her, but no one knows where she really is. Grey and silver, no collar, has been fixed. She is 10 years old, and has health issues. NO REASON TO KEEP OR SELL HER!!!!!!!! We offered $100 reward to anyone, and of course everyone says they know a guy has her for more money. OK< we will give more! Give us back the damn dog!!!!
--
Goldenbodies
Christy Golden

goldenbodies1@gmail.com

Desaparición/Missing!

2009-10-29T13:08:00.000-06:00

Desaparición/Missing! Michael George Dixon

Michael was last seen leaving the Villas Macondo Hotel in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, heading for the beach on Monday morning, 19 October, 2009.

Do you have webcams on the beach in this area? Do they record?

The Hotel reports Michael leaving the premises around 8:00 in shorts, t-shirt and a blue towel offered by the hotel, and from that moment he has not been seen again.

Please help us in any way you can. We are desperate to find our friend!

Facebook: Help Find Michael Dixon

With regards,
Kelli Tolen

Guard assaulted and multiple condos robbed

2009-08-07T13:03:00.000-06:00

From: "Richard Lacey" <richard@canacosta.com>
Date: August 7, 2009 4:36:42 PM CST
To: <tamarindocrime@gmail.com>
Subject: crime report

Mensaje

Something big happened, Tamarindo Azul the night of Sunday/Monday. 5 armed guys beat the guard up badly and went condo to condo stealing eveything they could carry. This needs more investigating. Ask Danielle danielle@hiddencoastrealty.com>

Theft Tamarindo Beach

2009-04-27T12:27:00.003-06:00

We were less than 5 feet from our bag, when we were approached by vendors. We took our eyes away from bag and that quickly it was gone

Our video camera, phone, money, credit card. The thieves used the credit card, which was in a woman’s name, and they were men-which I later learned. They went to five stores in less than ½ hour, tried to get money off atm also with card. When we reported to police, we knew that they would not aggressively investigate, we do not speak Spanish, and they barely spoke English. There are video cameras at ATM but we were told that we would have to drive to Santa Cruz to fill out a report and then they could investigate?? What was the point of telling the Tamarindo police? They would not even come down to tamarind to interview us. They don’t seem to care about trying to catch the thieves they make it virtually impossible to even report it! We know people on the beach has to see it, including the sno-cone vendor. They all act like they can’t speak English though.

The stores that processed our cards were Arenas, Banana Surf, High Tide.

Also Roca Bruja, but the owner at Roca told me that the first time they came in (2 guys) they gave a credit card under the name “Jim Morris” then they “switched it” to mine just before the clerk ran it through. They came in again, and she caught it. They told her it was “their mom” and she refused to sell to them.

Donna Taylor

Robbery at Finca Josefina

2009-01-28T08:18:00.001-06:00

I am writing to report a robbery Tuesday January 20th, 2009. We have 2 cabinas and they were both broken into.

This is what was stolen: 2 televisions, 4 remote controls, 1 dvd/vcr player, and iron for plancha. 1 suitcase (with the clothes dumped out side of cabina. a new $350.00 man's watch.

I know the police won't do anything, and so do the robbers, I wanted to report it so you will know just how many homes are being robbed.

Wanda Miller
La Josefina de la Garita
Canton Santa Cruz
Guanacaste, C. R.
2-653-8445

Burglary in Matapalo

2009-01-28T08:11:00.001-06:00

I live in Matapalo. I left around 12 noon and returned about 7pm. When I arrived at my house I noticed a bedroom window ajar. I knew that it had been closed before. After taking inventory, it was discovered that a laptop (Sony Vaio), a digital camera (Sony) a women’s make-up bag and a nice ball point pen were stolen. When I left I noticed 2 ICE workers working adjacent to my house. After further inspection, it was discovered that the chain link fence had been cut and the culprit used this to gain access to the property and yard. I went to the Matapalo Police Station to inform them of the robbery. After giving my name, make and model and description of items stolen, I was told to drive the next day to Santa Cruz to report it to the OIJ. To all out there, watch out for ICE workers, I have heard from other friends that they were robbed at the time that ICE was working in the area. And if you see a Sony Vaio with a missing key on the right hand side of the board, contact me

Sky Maricle
Sales Agent
CENTURY 21 Coastal Estates
Phone: 2-653-0300
sky@coastalestates.org
c_r_realestate@yahoo.com

Stolen camera

2009-01-04T15:42:00.001-06:00

Last night (January 1st, 2009) at around 3am I went swimming in the ocean near Babylon Club with a friend. We were in the water for a short period of time (in and out basically) and when we came out all of our belongings had been taken. We found the cops and they managed to find our clothes in the trees just off of the beach. He had his jeans and $400 taken and I had my camera stolen. I read in The Howler to email this address and that sometimes you know where the goods are even if you cant catch the criminal. I am on vacation and all of my pictures from the last two weeks are on that camera. It is a silver Sony camera (I believe). A distinguishing feature is that the playback button is broken on the camera (it is pushed in really deep). Can you please let me know if anything turns up. I am in Tamarindo for another two days.

Thank you,

Sowgol Torani

Estimados amigos...

2009-01-02T12:37:00.001-06:00

El pasado martes 30 de diciembre en una gira de trabajo fuimos víctimas del hampa en Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste, y entre todos los artículos robados hay uno en especial que es de mucha importancia para nosotros por el contenido de información que posee; es una computadora iMac de 20 pulgadas color plateado y va en un maletín especial para ella color naranja con negro:

Nuestro propósito es que si por aquellas cosas de la vida alguien les llega a ofrecer este artículo por favor nos lo hagan saber, si pueden reenviar a todos sus amigos este correo nosotros se los agradecemos muchísimo.

Esperamos que tengan un muy feliz y bendecido año 2009!!!! GRACIAS

Víctor Jaramillo
Andrea Díaz-Perezache

ASA 50 s.a.
Fotografía & Diseño
Cel.: (506) 8871-7014
fotos@racsa.co.cr
asa50cr@gmail.com

Robbery from Car & Visa Scam

2008-11-22T11:35:00.002-06:00

An elderly couple from La Garita suffered a flat tire while driving in Escazú. While he jacked up the car and replaced the wheel she stood and watched but – she left her door open! A man walked by and “sort of jinked” as he passed the car. When they started off again, she noticed her purse had gone! In the purse were credit cards, medication for a serious condition, cash and other things.

Fortunately they had family in Tamarindo who were able to cancel the credit cards and arrange emergency medication, without which the woman would have had to return quickly to the U.S.

Enquiries showed that a substantial amount of charges had been made to a credit card. But not in Escazú or San José, but in Santa Cruz, at Luis Li Lao’s emporium. The couple was well-known at Li Lao’s, where they were always greeted by their first names. The woman is very distinctive in appearance, tiny and red-headed. The credit card was unsigned deliberately, so that the user would have to provide identification. So what a coincidence that a credit card, stolen 300 km. away, was used at the couple’s regular store 30km away from home. And how was it that the thief was able to charge $1,000+ of goods on the unsigned card of a customer well-known to the staff without identification?

The good news is that the credit card company cancelled payment on the transactions, so Li Lao’s was the big loser. This is a distinct case of very negligent procedures on the store’s part...

Home Burglary - Langosta

2008-11-22T11:34:00.000-06:00

Langosta, Tamarindo

Awakened at night by the barking of their dog who sleeps in the house, Jesse Bishop surprised an intruder who managed to escape. The haul was his keys and wallet that had been left on the kitchen counter.

The night being warm, the windows had been left open. The thief cut through the screening and used a pool skimmer “borrowed” from a neighbor, with barbed wire attached to the end, to pull the wallet into his reach. He then extracted the keys and let himself into the house.

Tel: 2-653-0742

Home Invasion/robbery

2008-11-22T11:32:00.000-06:00

Thursday, November 13, 2008 (Friday 11/14 early a.m.), sometime between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Casa Matapalo, Tamarindo

Stolen: Car - $45,000.00 U.S., LG 42" Flat Screen TV - $1,500.00 U.S., GE Microwave - $250.00 U.S., Videos, approximately 50, total replacement value $1,000.00 U.S., Cat Carrier - $80.00 U.S.

Toyota Prado GX, 4-door
Car License Plate Number: 687-838
Color: Burgundy

Called 911 first and reported robbery
Went to Tamarindo Police (who do absolutely NOTHING!) second
Filed official report in Santa Cruz

The thieves took off a window in the dining room and climbed in. They left with the stuff in our car out of the garage. We were home asleep.

Kathi Wilkinson
Casa Matapalo
Florida Number: 954-990-0015 (will ring in Costa Rica)
Local Cell: 506-8389-7139

Knife Attack - Tamarindo

2008-07-23T12:53:00.002-06:00

Friday night / Sat in early AM July 18th:
At about 4 am a man and woman were assaulted with a knife on the beach just south of El Pescador.
The man and woman were attacked by 2 men...one had a knife.
Be careful on that beach after the bars close.

Restaurant Theft - Tamarindo

2008-07-17T15:07:00.003-06:00

Location: Restaurant El Coconut, Tamarindo.
Date: July 11, 2008, evening.

Last Friday, the 11th of July, happened what should never happen...Theft.

A lady sitting on the terrace of the restaurant had left her handbag under the chair, towards the road... Like anywhere else in the world one should take care of their belongings... And then it happened: a younger local (around 20-22 of age) snatched the bag. My waitress reacted immediately by screaming and I still do not know which Devil bit my rear end but I "flew" out of the restaurant in three steps. There was already a car waiting for him by the entrance of the beach towards Diria. He got in the back seat. My adrenalin kick was high at this point... I thought to myself: "They are thieves not murderers. Under 500.000 colones no prison - accident will have consequences..." Upon this I jumped in front of the car, I believe I was on the hood too. But reality is that my face must have been quite crazy and the obscenities quite strong... The thief stretched his arm out of the back window to give me the hand bag back again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The car drove off. I could then enter the restaurant, return the bag to its owner who verified that nothing was missing.

The Police were present in under 1 minute. We had not called. Thank you to the person that notified them. I respect and understand completely those that do not want to get involved. Thank you for reporting :-)

We could tell the Police that the car was a red automobile, I believe Hyundai Elantra, registration plate 625212.
PS I am not an aggressive person, I would never attack, but one has the right to protect...

Stolen Wallet

2008-05-14T16:18:00.001-06:00

Thursday May 1st. 12:30 p.m.
Location: Century 21
After being out all morning with clients, I returned to my office and had my purse on my desk, beside and slightly behind me. I hadn’t had time to organize myself when 3 Latin women entered the office and started to inquire about property. The one woman sat down in front of my desk while the other two meandered around supposedly looking at the model behind me. While the woman in front had my attention, another of the women was busy taking the wallet out of my purse. (obviously pros).
She asked for my business card and they promptly left.
Giving her the business card reminded me that I need to put more cards in my wallet. I quickly realized that my wallet was missing. They were nowhere to be found.
Within 10-15 minutes they had made a purchase at a local shop with my Cuscatlan debit card. Then they proceeded to the ATM and took out about $900 from my account. I did NOT have my PIN number written down in my wallet. Interestingly enough, OIJ tells me that they’ve had other instances of this….

I proceeded to cancel all my cards and reported the incident to the Tamarindo police.
I waited a couple of days to report to OIJ in hopes that my wallet with useless info and residency card might show up. It never did.
The next day, Friday afternoon, our cleaning lady was sure that she saw the 3 women buying Sansa tickets; although I couldn’t verify it until Monday when they were long gone. But the lady at Sansa said they were Mexicans. They apparently flew out of Tamarindo on Saturday May 3rd around 3:00 p.m.

The women were between 38-58 years old. All of them were overweight and all dressed nicely. The youngest had long hair with highlights; the middle one with red hair; and the eldest with short very black hair and glasses.

So we have a video camera in the ATM, and purchased Sansa tickets….. Not bad leads but I have NO faith that anything will ever be investigated.

Denise Shantz
Sales Manager
Century 21 Coastal Estates
Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste
Office: 506-2653-0300
Fax: 506-2653-0600
Toll-free from USA & Canada: 1-866-978-6585
www.A1tamarindorealestate.com

Lost Schnauzer Dog

2008-05-03T11:59:00.004-06:00

On Sunday, April 27th I went to breakfast at Nogui's with my miniture schnauzer. This is something I do several times a week and my dog Macy plays on the beach while I have breakfast. When I was ready to leave there was no sign of Macy. I think someone took her right after we arrived because she is very friendly and would be easy to steal and also because her trademark of holes she digs in the sand looking for crabs was missing. There were no holes dug in the beach in front of Nogui's or in both directions so I don't think Macy made it to the beach. I have posted missing posters around town.
Information: post comment here or call: 2-653-0036.

2008-04-26T15:01:00.000-06:00

Welcome to Tamarindo Crime Blog.

Here we give you a forum to share with others the details of a crime committed against you, and to add your comments to posted crimes. In this way we hope to increase awareness about crime in the area and, by sharing information, bring some culprits to justice.

Also, if the appointed guardians of the community need information on crimes, this archive can be made available to them.

Please keep your posts factual, with as many details as possible: Date and time of incident; description of stolen property; witness names; police involvement, etc.

Gracias, administrator.