Bonnie Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 (edited) I was robbed today in my home of all the money in my wallet while both I and my housekeeper were here. It's a long story, and a little frightening because the maleante was a big man, but I'm writing this to alert everyone and to pass along a few tips. My gate was open, and my front door was unlocked. The gate often is open during the day, but no more. I keep the front door locked, but my housekeeper had just come inside after sweeping the front porch and didn't lock the door behind her. I confess that I'm sometimes guilty of this too. Thankfully, no one was hurt; and I still have my cedula and credit cards. My housekeeper called the police, and two armed officers in camouflage arrived in less than ten minutes. They were very professional and very polite and took all the necessary information. They stuck around awhile because the two of us were pretty shaken and ultimately gave us a long but gentle lecture about the importance of keeping all doors and all gates locked at all times. They reminded us how lucky we were not to have been hurt once the robber realized he was not alone. They told me I could file a denuncia. I said, "Por que?" and one replied "Exactamente." I appreciated the candor. We all agreed that it was a lesson learned. They patrolled the neighborhood and came back to let me know that they would be keeping an eye on things for a while. This kind of law enforcement response was reassuring. Edited July 27, 2018 by Bonnie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 Oh my gosh, Bonnie. I am so sorry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brundageba Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 Bill and I are sorry as well. Habits become lax when report of home robberies become less frequent. Alarms, & gates need to be secured 100% of the time and we thank you for that heads-up. What time of day did this happen? Glad to hear the officers were fast to arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 37 minutes ago, Brundageba said: Bill and I are sorry as well. Habits become lax when report of home robberies become less frequent. Alarms, & gates need to be secured 100% of the time and we thank you for that heads-up. What time of day did this happen? Glad to hear the officers were fast to arrive. It happened shortly before noon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evelyn Kendall Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 (edited) This sounds familiar to me. I will start with the most recent occurrence which happened just a couple of days ago and was told to me by my neighbor who works at hostel in your neighborhood, Bonnie. A man came to the gate or door of one of the residents and asked her for a piece of paper and pencil so he could write a note to leave for another resident who was not there. She complied and then he asked if he might use the bathroom, and being a nice person, she said yes. He came in and stole all her money. Go back 3 years....I live in a small community of 3 houses. A man came to the gate of one of the houses and told the resident that he wanted to talk to the man who lived in the house next to him. Being a nice person, he let him in and brought him to me. The man suddenly seemed awkward and his story got fuzzy. Unbeknownst to him my very big Panamanian friend was sitting in my living room. I went in and asked him to see what this fellow was about. When he emerged from the door, the intruder went pale and excused himself and left. My thinking was somewhat log jammed with this situation but when I cleared my head I remembered...go back a lot of years when I first came to Boquete. A man asked if he could use my bathroom. Being a nice person, I let him in. It cost me all my cash and my Nikon camera. I'd be real surprised if it isn't the same person working the same MO. Your door was open so he did not have to bother with the niceties. If it is not the same person, then there is just another one on the loose. Edited July 28, 2018 by Evelyn Kendall Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 (edited) Coincidentally, someone ,else I know had a laptop stolen yesterday afternoon in Alto Dorado area. The person had gone out and left the patio door open. Lots of other stuff to take was ignored. Edited July 28, 2018 by Keith Woolford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantah Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 5 minutes ago, Evelyn Kendall said: 51 minutes ago, Bonnie said: It happened shortly before noon. A year ago I had a guy ask to use my bathroom. He looked to be about 45 and dressed OK, and friendly appearing, It was around midday. he was acting like he really had to go. I was next to my dog on my front porch at the time. Told him sorry the dog is going to have a problem. Later I thought if he had to go there were plenty of private places nearby to go, and people dressed like that walking in my area with no vehicle nearby I just don't see. Still spooks me to this day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 So sorry to hear this, Bonnie. First, I am so glad that you weren't hurt, and second, that he only took your cash. It could have been so much worse. You may not have been a random victim. If he waited until he knew the door was unlocked, and he never brandished a weapon, it suggests you were targeted. He knew what to expect in terms of resistance. I think the criminal is someone who either lives in Palo Alto or is very familiar with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 I don’t know how he could have known the door was unlocked. And if he saw my housekeeper sweeping the porch and then going inside, he would have known I was not alone. Palo Alto is a relatively small community, and my housekeeper has lived here her entire life. It seems she would have known him if he were from around here. But who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle Doug Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Well, that pretty much discounts my theory. But something still seems strange about this. Random non-indigenous strangers simply don't walk in front of your house. A brave tourist or two may hike by on the way to Tree Trek, but even that is rare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 I agree. I don’t know what to make of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueBird Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 For Sale sign at your house? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 Yep. It’ll be coming down. A friend sent me these photos of a man engaged in very similar activity for the past three years in (at least) Volcancito and Jaramillo, asking to come in and use the bathroom. I think it’s him even though the pics are far from crystal clear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 (edited) Sorry. I can't seem to get the pics to transfer from Messenger. Edited July 28, 2018 by Moderator_02 photo added per member's request Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrea Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 (edited) Here are better pictures - these were posted on .Ning in June 2017 - This person has been to our home (In Volcancito) on 3 different occasions in 3 years, I've heard from other in Jaramillo that the same man has been there too.... take note: Edited July 28, 2018 by Andrea attached photos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pantah Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Not unlike the guy I saw, although not dressed as well. Maybe the same guy, maybe not. A straight on facial aspect would make it clearer for me. Looks like he likes his brewskis! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 2 hours ago, Andrea said: Here are better pictures - these were posted on .Ning in June 2017 - This person has been to our home (In Volcancito) on 3 different occasions in 3 years, I've heard from other in Jaramillo that the same man has been there too. It looks like this guy has struck all over town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted July 29, 2018 Share Posted July 29, 2018 This activity for three years and “has struck all over town” Has this guy ever been caught and prosecuted? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted August 3, 2018 Author Share Posted August 3, 2018 At the request of the police, I filed a denuncia yesterday so that the police can pick him up if they see him. His photo is on each policeman's phone. Initially, I had decided against filing because of past experience. About three years ago, as a warden, I went with a newcomer/neighbor to file a denuncia when his and his wife's house was burglarized. The process was difficult and time-consuming. They insisted on one of their official translators, who had to be brought in from David the next day, thus requiring a return trip. The translator failed to show up, requiring a third trip. Then the neighbor's interview was unnecessarily prolonged, I thought, and the elderly interviewer slow to record what was being said. After well over an hour, and even though this was our third trip and they had had plenty of time to advise us of what they required, we were told the neighbor had to return with his wife (whose testimony, of course, was exactly the same as his). All in all, it was an extremely frustrating experience, and there was zero follow up. Thursday was a totally different matter. I was pleasantly greeted, and the office already was familiar with the case. A policeman who was there pulled up the maleante's photo on his phone. I told them I would like to return the next day with my housekeeper, at the request of the police, and would need a translator. They said they could get one in from David or I could bring my on. I brought a bilingual Panamanian friend and my house keeper yesterday morning. A pleasant young man who typed very fast took a thorough accounting of what had happened, printed out the report, and we were done in about half an hour. He explained that under the new law the denuncia would have to be filed with the appropriate corregidora because the amount taken was less than $1000, but he was happy to do the report for us. On the way home we dropped the report off with the corregidora and were on our way. Total time: about an hour. Experience: professional but pleasant. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dottie Atwater Posted August 3, 2018 Share Posted August 3, 2018 I'm glad to hear this is more professional in Boquete...now only if it were so in Volcan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 (edited) There is a report on Boquete News on Facebook of the arrest of a 31-year-old thief from Palmira Abajo who is described as the “scourge of Boquete.” It is reported that there have been multiple complaints about him. I hope this is our guy. Edited August 27, 2018 by Moderator_02 removed flawed reference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Woolford Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 http://elsiglo.com.pa/cronica-roja/atrapan-azote-boquete-allanamiento/24079869 domingo 26 de agosto de 2018 - 12:00 a.m. COMPARTIR Elmer Quintero Cedeñoelmer.quintero@elsiglo.com.pa La captura se dio durante un allanamiento y al verse acorralado decidió entregarse voluntariamente Operativo. Un sujeto, de 31 años, quien reside en Palmira Abajo y se había convertido en el azote del distrito de Boquete, fue capturado por la policía. El ladrón tenía múltiples denuncias de robo y hurto. La captura se dio durante un allanamiento y al verse acorralado decidió entregarse voluntariamente. Al aprehendido se le decomisó un tanque de gas de 25 libras, una estufa, cierta cantidad de artículos para la cocina, tres ollas, tres sábanas, un cooler entre otros artículos que, posiblemente, estén relacionados en varios casos de hurto. En otro allanamiento en el barrio de Los Abanicos del distrito de David, se logró ubicar dentro de un inmueble, 18 municiones de arma de fuego. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcelyn Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 On 8/26/2018 at 7:30 PM, Bonnie said: There is a report on Boquete News on Facebook of the arrest of a 31-year-old thief from Palmira Abajo who is described as the “scourge of Boquete.” It is reported that there have been multiple complaints about him. I hope this is our guy. Hopefully we will see an official report from the Police and/or Rodny regarding this situation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakana Posted August 27, 2018 Share Posted August 27, 2018 I had a personal experience several weeks ago with the gentleman pictured in earlier posts. It was per the typical m.o. others have mentioned. I can attest the man in the pictures and that i dealt with was nowhere near 31. 45-55 is much more likely. Sadly, unless they reported the age incorrectly, it is not him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted August 27, 2018 Author Share Posted August 27, 2018 There must be two of them then because my robber was younger than forty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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