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New Costa Rica Scam: Criminals in Police Gear

The latest scam across Costa Rica involves criminals who are posing as Costa Rica police officers.

Three men were arrested June 22 in Ciudad Neily in Puntarenas near the Panama border with an assortment of police gear and illegal firearms. Also in their possession were camouflage clothing with the National Police logo, a bulletproof jacket, sirens, security cones, four communication radios, three pistols and a 12-gauge shotgun.

Local Costa Rica officials say they were planning to set up an illegal checkpoint to assault and rob unsuspecting people.

Ciudad Neily Police Capt. Gonzalo Godoy said prosecutors already released two of the men – Núñez and Ulloa – and aren't pursuing charges against them. A third man by the name of Castro, is still in custody after officials discovered he is wanted for aggravated robbery.

“For me, it's a crime what they did, having the uniforms and the illegal firearms,” Godoy said. “The problem is that Costa Rica is such a guarantor of rights and the laws are so obsolete.”

As of yesterday, the prosecutor's office gave no explanation for not pursuing charges against two of the men. Godoy said part of the problem is the men were arrested before they committed the assaults or robberies. But he thought the crimes of illegal firearms possession warrant prosecution.

The three men were caught at a real police checkpoint at Kilometer 53 of the road from Ciudad Neily to Paso Canoas.

The captain said it was the first time he'd seen or heard of criminals using Costa Rica police equipment as part of their schemes.

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