[JOR4qxYH]

The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo informs U.S. citizens visiting the Dominican Republic there has been an increase in armed robbery against U.S. citizens arriving at Las Americas International Airport near Santo Domingo during the evening hours. Criminals impersonating police are stopping travelers along various highways after they depart the airport. Some of these incidents have been violent as the assailants used gunfire to pull over vehicles which failed to respond to the flashing lights. The gunmen forced the occupants out of their vehicles and robbed them of valuables. In some incidents, travelers staying in private residences instead of hotels are followed to where they will be staying and attacked and robbed as they try to enter the premises.

While no U.S. citizens have been killed during these robberies, the U.S. Embassy has received reports of several injuries. These incidents have occurred at night and in either private vehicles or public taxis. It is currently unknown how the victims are targeted and whether they are identified within the terminal. U.S. citizens arriving at the Las Americas International Airport should take necessary precautions, or consider scheduling arrival times during the daylight hours.

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy is located at the corner of Calle César Nicolás Penson and Avenida Máximo Gómez. The American Citizens Services (ACS) Unit can be reached by telephone at 809-731-4294, or via email at sdoamericans@state.gov. ACS Unit office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, Friday 7:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., except on U.S. and Dominican holidays. The Chancery of the U.S. Embassy is located a quater-mile away from the Consular Section, at the corner of Calle César Nicolás Penson and Calle Leopoldo Navarro. The telephone number is 809-221-2171.

[Npbfamgt]

It's almost as if there's no law and order.

[gSjQEEmq]

hmm nice to read that ...I will land around 7:30 pm when I come in July and will travel with a taxi to an appartment house in Boc Chica..guess I should keep my eyes open a bit and hide my belongings in several places..

[pataagusata]

It especially helps when you announce your exact arrival time on a public board, what is your flight number, please?
Just a thought...

[RedImmik]

Just as an fyi, be careful who sees your entry form you fill out prior to landing. A neighbor from where my wife lived in Santiago was a victim of a home invasion after the person sitting next to her on the plane read her form to get her address.

[Teeppoodiug]

We've all heard these stories for years, which is why everyone jumped over the poster who was going to walk to the highway.

Dominicans have been aware of this for a long time, even they are targeted. It got so bad that Dominicans became very cautious about mentioning that their relatives were coming from the US to visit, because neighbors knew that meant $$ and suitcases full of goodies were coming. A friend of a friend of a friend, and there would be someone with a gun waiting at the house when they returned from the airport.

When we land at SDQ, at least two of Mr. AE's brothers meet us, in two separate cars. This past trip we rented a car for 2 months from a DR1er, and his driver met us at the airport with the car. The brothers still came. At 2 in the afternoon. We drove back to Santo Domingo behind one another. Overkill? Maybe.

But after reading this warning from the Embassy, I can't help but wonder how many times it happened/what it took to make them issue that warning. And how many people never even reported it to the Embassy?

[Npbfamgt]

And how many people never even reported it to the Embassy? Excellent point. Victims of any crime can tend to blame themselves and are often reluctant to report.

[Xutrsavf]

DR is sounding like an idyllic, laid back vacation destination.................not!!!!!!!!

[Teeppoodiug]

DR is sounding like an idyllic, laid back vacation destination.................not!!!!!!!!

If you think these things don't happen in other Caribbean/Latin American countries, think again.

Forewarned is forearmed.

[freevideoandoicsI]

If you declare your money (as you have to if it is more than 10,000$) you can be sure that your data are passed to criminals immediately whether in uniform or not.

donP

[gSjQEEmq]

It especially helps when you announce your exact arrival time on a public board, what is your flight number, please?
Just a thought...

which is why I did not tell the exact date and from where I am coming ;-)

[HarryMet]

It's almost as if there's no law and order.

Almost??? You mean there is no law and order. Police target the "white man" whether "legally" or illegally. I cannot count how many times I was pulled over for being on the white line while stopped at a traffic light, for the sole purpose of extorting money. All the while Dominican drivers are doing the same thing or worse driving thru the red light while the police are occupied with me but watching what's going on around them, no seat belt, on the phone, running red lights etc etc. I've learned that a quick photo of the "officers" and the words "foto" and "graba conversacion" will quickly turn them away and if that doesn't work..."vamos estacion de policia".

[Xutrsavf]

If you think these things don't happen in other Caribbean/Latin American countries, think again.

Forewarned is forearmed.

I am not too well traveled vis-a-vis Caribbean islands, with the exception of Cuba. I have spent my last two winters there traveling the length of the island. There is no crime to speak of in Cuba. Violent crime against foreign tourist is unheard of. I really wanted to visit a new place like DR but it is starting to sound like some of the countries I have visited while they were at war. That can be very exciting but I'm not looking for excitement at this time in my life. So much of DR sounds just like what I want. Friendly people, nice beaches, rum....but one altercation with a machete wielding meth head can really ruin a vacation in a jiffy. I'm really having a hard time making up my mind now. The first thing I noticed about this site was a constant drumbeat about safety. I thought at first this was a preoccupation of a few nervous nellys. But as I continued to frequent this site, it became clear that crime is on everyone's mind for a very good reason.
I wonder if the denizens of this board would do me a kindness to either put my mind at ease or sell my guidebook back to Amazon. Could you guys tell me if you 'personally' have been attacked and what type of attack it was? I have traveled enough to know the difference between hearsay and facts. Passing around hearsay can turn a simple pickpocket into a life or death struggle with an armed assailant. So please, who here has actually been violently robbed? Thrown to the ground, hit on the head, gun or knife pulled on you, ect.......I think this would be helpful for all, not just me. Thanks.............PH

[AsmViktor]

I am not too well traveled vis-a-vis Caribbean islands, with the exception of Cuba. I have spent my last two winters there traveling the length of the island. There is no crime to speak of in Cuba. Violent crime against foreign tourist is unheard of. I really wanted to visit a new place like DR but it is starting to sound like some of the countries I have visited while they were at war. That can be very exciting but I'm not looking for excitement at this time in my life. So much of DR sounds just like what I want. Friendly people, nice beaches, rum....but one altercation with a machete wielding meth head can really ruin a vacation in a jiffy. I'm really having a hard time making up my mind now. The first thing I noticed about this site was a constant drumbeat about safety. I thought at first this was a preoccupation of a few nervous nellys. But as I continued to frequent this site, it became clear that crime is on everyone's mind for a very good reason.
I wonder if the denizens of this board would do me a kindness to either put my mind at ease or sell my guidebook back to Amazon. Could you guys tell me if you 'personally' have been attacked and what type of attack it was? I have traveled enough to know the difference between hearsay and facts. Passing around hearsay can turn a simple pickpocket into a life or death struggle with an armed assailant. So please, who here has actually been violently robbed? Thrown to the ground, hit on the head, gun or knife pulled on you, ect.......I think this would be helpful for all, not just me. Thanks.............PH

LOL thats about the umteenth time you used this statement.....maybe you should just stay home....

[Nicihntm]

If the Dominican police know this is happening why do they not patrol the area looking like tourists and gun the thieves down. It sounds as if the thieves have a heads up. Somebody lets somebody know who is coming and somebody else is not around. Smell fishy to me.
Could part of the proceeds be going to the somebodys who are not around.

[TepSteade]

hmm nice to read that ...I will land around 7:30 pm when I come in July and will travel with a taxi to an appartment house in Boc Chica..guess I should keep my eyes open a bit and hide my belongings in several places..

I would not sweat it. Just keep your eyes open and be careful. These are problably just a couple of tourists of the hundreds that have been flocking into the country. Most did not experience it. Imagine rolling dice and the dice have hundreds of sides. Chances are that it will not happen.

[RuttyUttepe]

The problem is that the police actually are often waiting for passengers with drugs toleave the airport and real police follw them and use the exact same tactics as the false police ...it is difficult to know what to do especially as the realpolice and the false police operate on the road towards Boca Chica and also to the capital ..I try to make up a convoy with 2 other cars if I arrive on a plane after 11 pm but I have 2 friends who were shot in 2 seperate incidents soit is besttoland at daytime or stay the night at the quaily inn near the airport

[TepSteade]

Yea, it is very scary what is happening. If anyone has tickets and hotel reservations, give me the tickets and reservations. I will take the chances of danger and save them. I dont want them to be in danger so I will have to be in the Dominican Republic in paradise while they stay safely at home.

[Xutrsavf]

Yea, it is very scary what is happening. If anyone has tickets and hotel reservations, give me the tickets and reservations. I will take the chances of danger and save them. I dont want them to be in danger so I will have to be in the Dominican Republic in paradise while they stay safely at home.

Sounds reasonable to me. I'm booked at Rockies in Sousa, flying AA........gimme ur address and I might as well send you my credit cards too.....enjoy

[Xutrsavf]

LOL thats about the umteenth time you used this statement.....maybe you should just stay home....

kool, i have another follower.