Deadly Cell Phones, Avoid Being A Victim
Many Costa Ricans have saved for months to be able to buy a cellular telephone, only to see it being taken from them or worse yet, as some have found death defending their cellular phone.

The cases of cellular phone theft has increased and so has the violence used by thieves, some resulting in bodily injury and death, as the case of Jackeline Acosta, who was murdered three years ago during this time of year, while defending her cell phone.

Police say there are several gangs dedicated to the theft of cellular phones, but would not give details as to how many and their modus operandi.

Police do say that the gangs work in groups, one to three people, who distract, snatch and get away usually on motorcycles. Police add that these groups are usually armed and are not hesitant to shoot.

These thieves typically are on the look out for the more modern cellular phones that incorporate cameras and many other features, like MP3 players, wireless internet, etc.

The most common case is that one of the delinquents, especially in the crowded areas of downtown San José,  will smack the phone out of the person's hands while carrying on a conversation.

An accomplice picks up the phone, then usually hands it to a third accomplice, who may or may not hand it to a fourth, all disappearing in the crowd, while the cellular phone owner looks around for the phone, initially not suspecting that he or she was a victim of a robbery.

Others are victims of by carrying their cellular phones dangling from their waist or purse. Thieves can easily distract the victim and snatch the cellular phone.

In some cases, victims of cellular phones have reported being confronted by two men riding a motorcycle, drawing a handgun and demanding the cellular phone.

The areas most associated with cellular phone thefts are all along the Avenida Central (the Boulevard); the areas around the Parque Morazan (in front of the Holiday Inn and surrounded by a number of hotels catering to visitors to Costa Rica); the Coca Cola, the area around the bus terminal; and, Paseo Colón.

In some cases, victims have reported the group of assailants being well dressed, including women making up part of the gang, never imagining that they would be thieves. In some cases, reports are that the group is made up of mostly women thieves.

One way to avoid being a victim of cellular phone theft is to keep the phone out of sight, in a purse or pants pockets. If the thieves cannot see the phone or can easily be snatched, they will move on to an easier target.

Avoid talking on the phone while in a crowd or walking on a public street, especially in desolate areas. You can easily be distracted by the conversation and not be aware of your surroundings, making you an easy target. If you get a phone call, tell the caller you will call them back.

Police say that the most common time for cellular phone thefts is between 9:00am and 9:00pm.

if you do become a victim of cellular phone theft, call 193 (the telephone company's cellular phone service line) and report the theft immediately.

The system is an automated one that will require you to have your cedula or passport number handy. The service will be cancelled within minutes of the call, stopping the thieves from making costly international calls.