Bandits on motorcycles said acting with impunity in Condado

A Condado community leader was critical of the Municipality of San Juan for failing to effectively implement the Public Order Code amid a reported rise in robberies by masked bandits on motorcycles in parts of the tourist zone.

By The Star Staff

A community leader in Condado, Amaury Rivera, expressed concerns on Wednesday about an increase in robberies in the tourist area committed by hooded individuals riding motorcycles.

“This tourist season has seen a rise in motorcycle-related robberies,” Rivera said in a radio interview. “They typically ride in pairs, wearing hoods, and I’m not sure how they can pass by police without being stopped. Sometimes they don’t even have license plates.”

Rivera noted that crimes in the city occur daily, but not all incidents are reported, especially by victims, who are often tourists. He also shared that, alarmingly, reported cases of rape have increased by 42 percent. However, he pointed out that there is no concrete plan in place to address those incidents, which allegedly frequently occur in a vacant lot near Santurce Plaza.

“Then they move onto the sidewalk and rob people,” Rivera added. “Just two days ago, tourists were robbed on Ashford Street [sic]. Often, tourists do not report the crimes, which is part of the issue we face in Condado. They target tourists, but local residents also fall victim. We’ve had numerous reports from residents on Taft Street, De Diego Street [sic], Ashford Street [sic], and other main roads. We’re up all night in Condado; we can’t sleep because of the noise from these motorcycles. They come after midnight and cause disturbances.”

Rivera criticized the Municipality of San Juan for failing to effectively implement the Public Order Code, which was heavily scrutinized during the discussion phase of its drafting. The lack of municipal police presence combined with gang activities has prompted citizens to seek enhanced security measures, he said. Many residents are calling for an increased police presence, particularly in poorly lit areas.

“I met with local residents on Sunday, and some were considering arming themselves,” Rivera said. “This is concerning because a few have already obtained licenses to carry firearms, but it can be dangerous, as handling a weapon requires careful consideration. The person leading this group is a father of a three-year-old boy and has had his home broken into four times this year. Unfortunately, the alleged perpetrators remain unprosecuted.”