The U.S. warns its citizens on rising assaults at major airport

Santo Domingo.- The United States warned its citizens traveling to Dominican Republic on increasing robberies of visitors entering the country through Las Americas Airport.

On its Website the State Department says criminals impersonating police arrest travelers along several roads after leaving the airport, where they are assaulted at gunpoint in their vehicles and their valuables stolen. "In some cases, travelers who stay in private homes rather than hotels are followed to where they’ll stay and robbed as they enter the premises."

The State Department also notes that "while no U.S. citizens have been killed during these robberies, the U.S. Embassy has received reports of several injuries."

It adds that such incidents have occurred at night, either in private vehicles or taxis. "It’s unclear how the victims are spotted within the terminal. U.S. citizens arriving at Las Americas Airport should take the necessary precautions, or consider scheduling arrival times during daylight hours."