Motorbike crime on the up

[NewsWhore]

The numbers of crimes committed with the use of high-speed motorcycles is on the rise. According to Listin Diario, small bikes like the Yamaha RX115 are used because of their high speed and mobility. Most motorcycle thieves have the same modus operandi, where they surprise victims with a gun or knife, demand their valuables and speed off, becoming almost impossible to catch as they disappear into the heavy traffic. From 16 August 2007 until February 2008, 494 "motorbike thefts" have been reported. During the same five-month period, 238 homicides were reported and blamed on "motorbike criminals". The cases reported also included 51 hijackings, 20 armed robberies, 17 robberies that resulted in injuries and 14 attempted robberies. Thirty-three motorbike crimes took place in the National District, 26 in Santo Domingo East, 17 in Santo Domingo West, 22 in North Santo Domingo, 5 in Azua, 3 in Bani, 9 in Barahona, 3 in Bonao, 6 in Cotui, 2 in El Seibo, 4 in Hato Mayor, 4 in Higuey, 14 in La Romana, 3 in Mao, 3 in Nagua, 11 in Puerto Plata, 1 in Samana, 1 in San Cristobal, 14 in San Francisco de Macoris, 7 in San Juan de La Maguana, 13 in San Pedro de Macoris, 16 in Santiago and 12 in La Vega. A month by month breakdown reveals that in August 52 motorbike crimes were committed, 70 in September, 106 in October, 43 in November, 93 in December, 96 in January and 34 in February. As for the crime schedule, most of the crimes, 176, occurred between 12 midday and 6pm, while 125 of the crimes occurred between 6pm and midnight. Sixty-two crimes occurred between midnight and 6am and 105 crimes occurred between 6am and 11am.

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