Not only homicides reached a high record during 2016, the year also left strange figures in car theft.
According to data provided by the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ), between January 1st and December 31st 2016, 4,225 robberies were reported.
That figure exceeds the statistics collected throughout 2015 by 451 cases. In fact, it is the highest number in the last five years.
For example, in 2014 there were 3,709 complaints for this offense.
The breakdown of data provided by the judicial police determines Saturdays as the day they stole more cars in 2016, with 702 cases.
For the previous November, the figures for the past 2 years were surpassed. Given this scenario, the Costa Rican Automotive Chamber had already asked the authorities for more concrete measures.
The bulk of cases are grouped in the provinces of San José, Alajuela, Heredia, and Limón. However, two central cantons live a more complex situation: Alajuela and San José.
The cantons with more robberies are:
Alajuela – 434.
San José – 399.
Desamparados – 169.
Heredia – 165.
Pococí – 139.
It is noteworthy, however, that last year the OIJ arrested several organizations associated with vehicle theft.
According to research, these groups liked to commit their crimes in areas near shops or restaurants. Some of them even had the ability to steal a car in less than 1 minute.