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There are some vicious, cold blooded mf's in CR.

Today's AM Costa Rica:

Bandits stuff expat into car trunk and ignite vehicle

By Aaron Knapp
of the A.M. Costa Rica staff


Firefighters rescued a middle-aged U.S. citizen from the trunk of a burning vehicle before dawn Wednesday morning near Coyol, Alajuela.

The man who has not been identified yet had survived at least three stab wounds to the chest, a judicial report said. A spokesperson for the Cuerpo de Bomberos de Costa Rica said that the man had burns on 48 percent of his body.

An employee at the Hospital San Juan de Dios confirmed that the man was brought there early on Wednesday and has been unconscious ever since. She said that he is alive, but in very bad shape.

“He is very delicate condition,” she said. “It's very, very bad.”

Neither the hospital, the fire department nor the Judicial Investigating Organization could confirm the man's identity. Judicial Investigating Organization workers could only confirm that he is between 40 and 45 years of age and that he is a U.S. citizen.

According to the judicial bulletin, the man was walking to his car in a casino parking lot in Río
Segundo, Alajuela, near Juan Santamaría airport. The report says that several people approached him in the parking lot, forced him into his own car, an unspecified model made by Mazda, and forced him to drive to El Coyol, Alajuela, just west of the airport.

The man was then attacked, stabbed at least three times and thrown in the trunk of his own car. The car was set on fire, and the attackers fled before authorities arrived, according to investigators.

A fire department spokesperson said that the fire was reported at 1:52 Wednesday morning and a single truck arrived at 2:07 a.m. He said they found the car engulfed in flames a kilometer south of the El Coyol vehicle inspection station, but they were able to put out the fire in less than 15 minutes.

He also confirmed that the man was wounded in the chest and 48 percent of his body was burned. He explained that the man was taken to Hospital San Juan de Dios in downtown San José because that hospital is best suited for caring for severe burns.

An employee in the emergency room of San Juan de Dios confirmed that the man arrived, but she said that he was unconscious and unable to identify himself. She could only confirm that he was being treated there and that he was in critical condition.

That is vicious! I'm thinking he either put up a fight and angered them or there is something more to the story other than a simple robbery. Hate to hear about things like this no matter what the circumstances.

This is horrible. Burning alive seems like the worst way to die, or live in this case.

Usually, I figure there is more to the story in a case like this but there is clear robbery motive here. He was leaving a casino and assumed to have money on him. If this was just routine business, they could of jacked him anywhere. Would be curious if more details surface.

Also from AM Costa Rica: http://www.amcostarica.com/092612.htm

Costa Rica has the highest rate of robberies by far in the entire Western Hemisphere, according to a report released by the Organization of American States.

In 2010 there were 943 robberies per 100,000 people in Costa Rica.

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* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.

Thirdworld I was thinking the same thing...what did the guy do inside the casino?? If he did win big why not get security to car? I have a feeling this attack was not just because he was a gringo only..

There are a lot of really brutal things happen everyday. I read La Teja or Al Dia at least 3 or 4 times a week and there is always a machete attack, strangling, stabbing and shootings. Scary world out there.

Let's see how good the cameras are at Fiesta Casino. Oviously the victim didn't give the police the details of the initial encounter included in the AM CR article so they either had an eyeball or there are cameras in that lot. I hope they can figure it out and catch these pieces of shit.

Tinman and thirdworld DO YOU KNOW MY YOUNGER BROTHER, Do you know the assholes who did this to him were you there????? NO YOU WEREN'T Dont judge him or say there is more to this because you don't know, You bet your ass he fought them with everything he had I'm positive he hurt one or more in the process of stabbing him multiple times and setting my brother on fire, someone seen this happen he's been unconcious since they pulled him out of the burning car .....

Best wishes to your brother and your family.

I don't think either meant it that way.

I am glad they were able to reach you. Who did find you?

I've been looking at all the newspapers since it was reported looking for his status. Has your family been told anything by the police or anyone as to what happened?

Please keep us posted. We all feel his pain, and yours.

Wow!!!! wolfpac maybe you should not ask us if we know your brother. just maybe you should ask yourself how well you know your brother!!! sorry that brother got hurt , but what happen here is not the normal thing in costa rica or anywhere in south or central america..better ask who or what got him in trouble. find out and post info...there has to be more to this story!!!!

maybe there is a LOT more to the story. but no way it is ever supposed to end w being stabbed in the chest and set on fire. name any circumstances where this would be acceptable. can't imagine a scenario where i would be convinced anyone had that coming.

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Wolfpac: I don't know what your CR experience is, but many, many posters on this board either live there or have alot of experience in CR, including with hospitals and doctors or just about anything you can have a question about..

If you are new to CR and have questions about anything, please post. You'll get as much help as anyone can give you right here.

Lots of violence here, read La Teja. Fighting back is not always the best option. Pick your battles wisely and live to fight another day. Don't expect bystanders or the police to help much. What say greengo?

No, what is meant is that it wasn't a simple robbery. Had a feeling the guy fought back, which I would have done also. Although they tell you just to cooperate I'm sure I probably wouldn't if I saw a way to fight back. Hope he pulls through.

I hope this guy is alive and recovering. The next step I'd do is get him out of CR to the USA for the rest of his treatment (Ask Pops why).

This attack is why I don't make friends here outside of the gringos I know. Most of the time its an inside job - starts with someone you know. Maybe someone gives information to someone else.

That local that wants to strike up a casual conversation. No thanks.

_________________
* These are the "Good Ole Days". Enjoy Them.

* RENT but, "Don't Buy a Home in Costa Rica" until you have lived here for THREE years.