My neighbor Mario robbed my house but gave me a new life. For that, he has a permanent place in my heart… and now on my blog. (For a picture of Mario and an update on his latest hit, click here.)
I fled Los Angeles for tropical Costa Rica last August, but it took a bit longer than I originally thought to take the LA out of the Angelena. And it took the surprise of, the morning after my house got robbed and ransacked, finding the neighborhood twerp at the local grocery store — rocking my women’s sneakers.
After a thrilling, luxurious six-week “vacation” in a mostly American suburb outside of Playas del Coco, my biggest frustration was feeling removed from the “real” (so cliche, but you know what I mean) Costa Rica. My four-bedroom house with ocean views was a nicer place than I could’ve ever imagined living in at that time, almost a year after I lost my job, started the freelance struggle and exhausted my savings. But I wanted the real deal.
So I moved suddenly to the heart of Coco, into a darling house about the size of an SUV. And then disaster struck: Day four, I came home from a dinner of fried plaintains and ceviche to find my little home completely ransacked. My beloved Mac PowerBook was gone, and every book, paper and piece of clothing was strewn on the floor, an obvious attempt to find my passport, which I’d hidden so well that even I couldn’t find it at first. Muddy footprints covered the place.
After a long night of drinking and crying, my brand-spanking new friends drove me the 30 minutes to the nearest O.I.J. (F.B.I.-ish) station. It was simple enough: the robber had left his sandals under the hole in the wall he’d climbed through after pushing in the AC unit (there were bars on all the windows and three locks on the door, including an iron gate) — and taken my computer, external hard drive, expensive power tools, favorite necklace, and two pairs of women’s sneakers.
The drama had barely begun.
Zip-lining in the now famous Nikes.
On the way back into town, we stopped by the local supermarket to buy some beer and then wait at my house all day for O.I.J. Strangely giddy after our somehow empowering visit to the investigator’s office, we pulled into the tiny parking lot of Luperon. And who was lazily sitting outside reading the newspaper? The local thief — in my woman’s Nikes!
We were all over the place, squealing, backing up the car, whipping out cell phones. One of my friends jumped out to wait on the other side of him in case he ran, the other one called her Tico husband to call the police. Helpless, I hid behind my police report, trying not to be seen.
The cops arrived a short minute or two later and brought him down to the station. We had caught the neighborhood thief! In the small town of 3000, word spread within the hour that he was finally behind bars. We laughed and jumped up and down, too jittery and emotional to even think straight. He, of course, told cops that they were his shoes; I produced photos of me zip lining in that very pair. I really thought we had him.
I did eventually get my sneakers back, although he was out of custody the next day. (No fingerprints were found at my house, and him wearing my shoes 15 hours after the robbery wasn’t enough for a search warrant. Mario wears socks on his hands instead of gloves, because who sells gloves in the tropics? To fit through the small space, he often covers his skinny little beanpole body with oil. Slippery.) My computer and external hard drive, which carried years’ worth of photos, email accounts from past jobs, writing files, a book proposal… were long gone. But I wear my Nikes almost every day, often running by his house in the morning with some of the neighborhood dogs, waving, “Hi, Mario!” Because I do, actually, have a lot to thank him for.
Before he stormed into my house, I had been living in Costa Rica with no phone, car or TV, only my computer, which I used to write stories for my work at magazines and email friends, and also to Skype my loved ones. Suddenly, I was stripped of even that. But I had gained a spot in the community — my neighbors started speaking to me in Spanish, others congratulated me on catching Mario, and I bonded with my new friends who jumped at the chance to help their new neighbor.
Would near strangers have helped me so graciously and generously in any of the other places I’ve lived? I’m not sure – but the fact that they did here added at least six months to my planned three-month Costa Rican sabbatical. So, Mario, you suck, but thank you.
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43 Comments
wow you are sooo brave…. gives me goose bumps reading about this. youo’re gonna have to show me where mario lives when I get there now essh
Mario! Holy shit, that dude is one audacious mofo. When I was living in Spain some dude stole my bag while on a bus traveling from Barcelona to Madrid. Did he think he would get away with it? He must have been related to your dude.
girlie – love you! way to turn a bad situation good and positive for you. I am so living through your adventures!
This story very much needs pics of the nikes
Good story, and an even better attitude about the outcome. Damn Mario needs a punch though.
That’s am amazing story and while not the way you would have like to integrate your way into the community, it makes for an amazing tale to tell your friends.
Whats even more impressive I think, is that you stayed and now enjoy what can only be a lifestyle you so dearly sough.
I look forward to following your story.
Good idea! Here’s a pic of me enjoying those Nikes very much during my requisite zip-lining tour.
Is there a picture of Mario in the shoes?
This is one case where I could not deal with the laid back nature of Costa Rica. The guy is wearing your shoes, and he’s known as the neighborhood thief and there is no search warrant?
That would be extremely frustrating to me, but glad you were able to get something good out of it for yourself.
My home was just broken into – TV set, IPOD stolen, broad day light.
Wonder if Mario is responsible, I live in North Coco!?!?
What is his last name, where exactly does he live?
I heard there is a pawn shop “PRESTA” in Liberia,
two blocks past the church,park, right side.
Heard stolen stuff makes it there!?!?
Linda Gray
Oh, no! I am so sorry. It’s the worst feeling. Mario’s since left town, but there are guys in every neighborhood. Let me find out who does Ocotal. The police will know exactly who it is, even with a first name. Go to Liberia asap — they’ll jump on the first bus out with your stuff to sell. That’s also where O.I.J. is. They have to find fingerprints on the scene, so don’t touch anything. I hope you find your stuff! Keep me posted…
Abs!! I miss you! I love your blog and look forward to following your adventure!!. I will call you soon to properly catch up! xxxx
Abby, even though I am down the road from you in Coco and I have heard this story countless times I got a kick out of reading your blog on it. Also the pic of you with your beloved shoes is great! Congo Monkey Trail I presume! I hope we can continue to share more adventures here together!
Lovely story Abby!
Thank you so much, Elizabeth!! Thanks so much for reading!
Wow, good for you! I loved this post.
Thank you so much!! Thanks so much for checking out my site! I just a field day on yours. Your photos are just… unbelievable. I want to see more and more!
I guess sometimes it takes a thief for us to realize we don’t need all the things we have.
The universe’s way of telling me to slow down, I think… Can’t wait for you to start your trip!
I can’t wait to start either!
Congrats to you for seeing something good in a bad situation. Most Americans would have gotten the next flight back to the States after something like that. But now you have a great community of friends and some amazing experiences ahead of you. Can’t wait to hear more!
Thanks so much for checking out my site! Yes, I do love it here. I can’t wait to write about my neighbors. More people need to do what you’re doing; I love your site and concept.
Hi Abby,
My name is Tom and I live in Playa Hermosa just over the hill to the North. Thought I’d share a story with you about how we recovered stolen goods without using the Fuerza Publica or the OIJ
While building my home, my welder arrived heart-broken to announce he had lost his hard earned color T.V. a stereo, his Passport and clothes. His cabin which I supplied to him had been broken into. Well, he started spreading the word and low and behold someone said they saw a guy get on a bus the very day of the robbery with goods that matched his list of stolen items. The witness even told him where he got off the bus. With this info, I piled some workers into my truck and along with the victim we headed for Comunidad some ten miles away. Oscar, my welder had the presence of mind to keep his receipts of the T.V. and stereo. We found the house and the door was open! We could see his new T.V. on top of a table blaring away. Several women and children gathered around the door as we asked where they got the T.V. etc. Of course, they said they had bought it a year or so ago. I said, ” OK, if our serial numbers from our receipts don’t match we’ll leave without any more bother”. Well, they matched and they women began to cry. I then said, “You have two choices, one is I call the Fuerza Publica now and they take the goods and later your husband, or we’ll take the goods which you know do not belong to you”. She gave over all the goods and my welder is very happy for his good fortune.
That is an amazing story!! Thank you so much for sharing. You guys were so quick on your feet wow. If I knew then what I know now, I definitely would’ve chased him down on my own instead of relying on others. I was livid when the fiscal denied me a search warrant. Now I know! The fact that witnesses helped you is so heart-warming, too. That doesn’t always happen, sadly. Again, thank you so much for sharing!!! This made my day, and I’m sure others want to read it, too!
I too applaude your positive attitude and great writing skills.
I bought a house in Coco on the beach 6 years ago and visit 2 or three times a yr. I live in San Diego.
Would love to meet you and have lunch on my next trip.
Warmest Regards
Carol
Hi, Carol! Thank you so much for reading my site. I look forward to your next visit!!
HI,
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT MARIO STEALING IN PLAYA DEL COCO HE HAS BEEN STEALING FOR YEARS THE ONLY WAY TO GET HIM PUT A WAY FOR GOOD. GO TO SANTA CRUZ AND FILE A REPORT ON HIM THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND YOU NEED HIS FULL NAME. MARIO PALOMINO
CONTRERAS
I HAVE DONE THIS BUT WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO DO IT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL GET HIM PUT A WAY. TOM,
HI,
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT MARIO STEALING IN PLAYA DEL COCO HE HAS BEEN STEALING FOR YEARS THE ONLY WAY TO GET HIM PUT A WAY FOR GOOD. GO TO SANTA CRUZ AND FILE A REPORT ON HIM THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO AND YOU NEED HIS FULL NAME. MARIO PALOMINO
CONTRERAS
I HAVE DONE THIS BUT WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO DO IT THIS IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL GET HIM PUT A WAY. TOM,
Thank you for that! It was Santa Cruz that denied me a search warrant, but they did know exactly who I was talking about, had his fingerprints, and knew where he lived. If anyone’s going to Santa Cruz to file a report, please let me know!
We live north of Coco and have been robbed too. It is such a violation of your peace of mind. Sorry for your loss of feeling secure. One more point, our house in the States was robbed while we were Coco so there is no place that is 100% safe.
Dude! If i were you, i`d kick Mario in the balls (do it for for me and the rest of the neighbors… , or send him to get a “neck adjustment” from Dr. Nic… same result.
Dude! … Ok for you… but.. If i were you, i`d kick Mario in the balls (do it for for me and the rest of the neighbors… or send him to get a “neck adjustment” from Dr. Nic… same result.
HI ABBY,
BAD BOY MARIO PALOMINO CONTRERAS BACK IN TOWN HE HAS BEEN GONE FOUR ABOUT ONE MONTH HE LIVES
BACK BEHIND MY HOME SO I KNOW WHEN HE’S HOME HE CAME HOME YESTERDAY
THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO NO. TOM,
HI ABBY,
BAD BOY MARIO PALOMINO CONTRERAS BACK IN TOWN HE HAS BEEN GONE FOUR ABOUT ONE MONTH HE LIVES
BACK BEHIND MY HOME SO I KNOW WHEN HE’S HOME HE CAME HOME YESTERDAY
THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW.
This is a great travel story. Too bad you had to lose your computer for it to come about, but I love the message. It is true in any foreign place. If you stick to the comforts of home via skype, email, etc., you will never meet people and appreciate where you are.
wow that is such a great story. I’m sorry for you loss. It’s terrible when all these memories are gone. Did you saved some of them in the cloud or on an extra external hard drive?
I guess you have these idiots anywhere in the world. Wherever you go, an idiot is always there before you!!!
I like your positive attitude. Its much better to face the day with a smile even though sometimes there is not much to smile about but its always the small things which make the difference.
Such an asshole that Mario?! I still do not know who stole my laptop and don’t think I will ever find out! Not sure what is worse tho
Hope it will never happen to any of us again 
Oh my God! But Mario is the kid in the picture! So sad
Sorry for your computer though, I can’t imagine losing my hard drive…
Wow, what a way to become part of society!
Wow. Crazy story, Abby! I wish you had been able to recover your hard drive, but I applaud you for staying so positive.
Wow… that sounds horrible. I can’t imagine living next to to thief… a stupid one at that. How could he ever think that you would never see him in your sneaks?
What I love the most about this is that there is a special page on your blog just for Mario. As crazy as the experience may have been, I’m glad you got the inspiration to to stay in Costa Rica longer because of him. Its a story you won’t soon forget and that you’ll have forever. So now even I will always remember Mario – oh, what a slick but creative little guy.
Oh wow, totally did NOT think that was where this post was going! I would have been equally devastated. Thieves suck. But hey, at least the community has your back.
oh my gosh…i don’t know if i could’ve waved at him. I might’ve punched him but that’s all that I could muster.
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