[News Boquete] Break-in at the Handicap Foundation Saturday

From Price Peterson, our U.S. Warden for Boquete

I would like to add a note to Loesje's report on the robbery at the Handicap Foundation. 

The thief went over the fence into the building about 8 pm. Susan and I were advised and on the road about 8:10 and arrived about 8:25.  To our astonishment two police had already arrived, also climbed the fence and captured one thief just outside the building.  There was good reason to think that a second thief was still holed up inside the darkened building with the front door open. Both police were outside with their prisoner handcuffed waiting , with hands on gun, for the second suspect to flee through the door - the only way out.  We waited about 20 minutes and finally one of the police decided to go in and clear the foundation building.

The building consists of one large room with about six small rooms opening of of it. The second thief, possibly armed, could have been in any of these.  The officer, with "bullet proof" vest, cocked his gun and began checking each of these small darkened rooms in which the armed man could have been hiding. One by one, he cleared them and finally, with a huge sigh of relief, declared the building secure.

Frankly I would never have had the courage to do what he did. I think I would have declared a siege and starved the perp out , no matter how many months it took. 

I think we should all be thankful to have such prompt reactions by the police and have cops show such courage.  I know some of our cops are worthy of our criticism, but others certainly merit our praise. 

As this operation went on into the night, I had the opportunity to talk with the Boquete Commander.  He made it clear the (1) the pressure is on the police to clean up their act in Boquete and (2) bring in a crew of older more experienced cops and (3) begin an aggressive campaign of 'stop and search and hold overnight' anyone who does not look quite right.

I hope we can all give the new force a chance.

Price Peterson

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