Luxury Car Theft Ring Disrupted in Costa Rica
Judicial authorities arrest five suspects in connection with high-end vehicle thefts and document falsification.
Agents from the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) in the Alajuela Regional Delegation conducted a series of raids across Costa Rica to apprehend suspects linked to the theft and alteration of luxury vehicles.
This investigation was prompted by at least 20 reports of stolen high-end automobiles and potential involvement of a Ministry of Finance official.
The operations commenced at 6 a.m. in areas including La Guácima, Poás, Desamparados, and La Agonía in Alajuela, as well as in Liberia, Guanacaste.
During these actions, authorities arrested five individuals identified as Vargas, 59 years old; Cruz, 51; Arias, 36; Brenes, 44; and Salazar, 53.
According to preliminary information from OIJ, the suspects were acquiring luxury vehicles and subsequently manipulating their vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and engine numbers to reintroduce them into the market illegally.
Rándall Zúñiga, the general director of OIJ, indicated that there are suspicions that the accused were falsifying documents to create the appearance that these vehicles had legally entered the country, allegedly with the assistance of the Ministry of Finance official.
Following the investigations, agents were able to identify at least six individuals purportedly involved in this criminal network.
The raids aimed to seize relevant evidence that could strengthen the ongoing case.
The detained individuals are set to be presented to the Public Ministry, where their legal status will be determined.
This investigation was prompted by at least 20 reports of stolen high-end automobiles and potential involvement of a Ministry of Finance official.
The operations commenced at 6 a.m. in areas including La Guácima, Poás, Desamparados, and La Agonía in Alajuela, as well as in Liberia, Guanacaste.
During these actions, authorities arrested five individuals identified as Vargas, 59 years old; Cruz, 51; Arias, 36; Brenes, 44; and Salazar, 53.
According to preliminary information from OIJ, the suspects were acquiring luxury vehicles and subsequently manipulating their vehicle identification numbers (VIN) and engine numbers to reintroduce them into the market illegally.
Rándall Zúñiga, the general director of OIJ, indicated that there are suspicions that the accused were falsifying documents to create the appearance that these vehicles had legally entered the country, allegedly with the assistance of the Ministry of Finance official.
Following the investigations, agents were able to identify at least six individuals purportedly involved in this criminal network.
The raids aimed to seize relevant evidence that could strengthen the ongoing case.
The detained individuals are set to be presented to the Public Ministry, where their legal status will be determined.
