Tighter Bank Security Foils Morning BCR Holdup
With a toy gun in hand, a Nicaraguan man, attempted to hold up the Banco de Costa Rica on Paseo Colón, next to the Centrol Colón office building, shortly after 9am yesterday.

The man identified as Antonio Ortiz Prado, 39 years of age, was shot twice in the leg and abdomen by private security called in by the surveillance crew inside the bank.

Police say that the security guard at the door using a metal detector allowed Lopez to pass. Lopez had a plastic gun hidden inside his 'fanny pack', which he promptly used to divest a teller of all the cash in the drawer after waiting his turn in line with other customers.

A second man was detained by police suspected of being an accomplice, however was later released when it was learned that he had nothing to do with the holdup.

Bank robberies are less common now after years where bank robbers were acting with impunity as police were unable to respond to bank hold ups. Private and state banks united to form their own "banking security" force to respond to attempted robberies. The creation of the security response reduced the number of bank robberies quickly.

Earlier this month, new rules imposed by the Central Bank, ensures bank customers and employees more security. Bank security guards are being instructed to ask customers entering a bank to turn off their cellular telephones, remove any sunglasses and hats and no motorcycle helmest.

At some banks, a metal detector is used while at the Banco Nacional branch in front of La Sabana park, customers entering and leaving the branch are asked to deposit bags and other items in a locker and pass through a security device similar to a two doored elevator. A customer enters the glasss enclosure at one end and then exits when the first door closes and the second opens.