Gangs of thieves in licensed public cars

Now I've been pickpocketed many times. I try to learn each time, so that at least they can't get me the same way twice. But this time they did. And that kind of makes me mad!

There is a ruse they use in the public car systems here. First of all, you have to have a public car. You put three women in the back, and the driver and one other man up front. (Remember, two passengers must squeeze into the front bucket seat.) The one male passenger up front has a bandage around his leg, and he is trying to attract your attention to that.  He pretends to be uncomfortable; your position is causing him pain. Meanwhile, he robs you and passes off your money to the ladies behind.  The driver keeps your fare in his hand, so that he can quickly return it and pretend to be going elsewhere, once they have successfully robbed you.

Well, I got in the car. The first thing that made me suspicious was the leg. I'd already been robbed before that way. See pickpockets are like magicians. They distract you from what you should be looking at, while they work their magic. As soon as he started acting like he needed to adjust his seating, when he obviously didn't, I said, "Let me out. I've been robbed like this before." Instantly the driver handed me my money and dropped me off. Problem was, they already had my money. I had a buttoned shirt pocket with nearly $30 in it. Additional money was in my jeans pocket, and that I had been protected, while I forgot about the shirt pocket. I'm sure they had a good laugh.

I didn't even realize they had gotten that money till I got home.  I've been kicking myself ever since, for getting robbed the same way as before. Well, not exactly the same. The last time they got my jeans pocket. In fact, no one has ever tried to rob my shirt pocket before. You have to be pretty skilled to get away with that. Now I know that it is also a target, I have to change my style.

Next time I am going to try to think fast enough to get the license number. But then, would the police even care if I gave it to them?

One of the nice things about belonging to God, is that I know that he will take care of that gang. They think they will get away with their evil-doing, but it's not going to happen. Their payday will come.

Being robbed is not unusual. Ask anyone. It's a very real part of this Dominican Life.


Here is a post script: I was talking with a driver of a public car, and told him that I had recently been robbed on his route. He asked if it was the guy with the "hurt" leg. I told him it was. He informed me that the police know about this man, but they don't do anything about him, that he probably pays them off. When I mentioned it was not only him, but a gang, he said yes, that he knew.