Robberies by criminals on motorcycles (usually two men on one bike) have been a common problem throughout Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula. Additionally, there have been incidents of men on a motorcycle grabbing bags and/or purses from both men and women, robbing from and/or carjacking stopped vehicles with an open driver's window, harassing women that are walking on the streets and sidewalks, and robbing security guards of their weapons. Two men on a medium size motorcycle should always be considered suspicious and appropriate actions taken (i.e. ensure that your windows are rolled up and doors locked, move further away on the sidewalk and head in an opposite direction, etc.). Sometimes the robbers will cruise by once before choosing the victim. Situational awareness is critical to not becoming a target. The use of motorcycles is popular among the criminal elements to perpetrate this crime for several reasons:

• Motorcycles offer fast acceleration and are extremely maneuverable through traffic congestion. They can weave in and out of traffic and pursuit in a car would be in vain. With limited police cruisers in Honduras, robbers on motorcycles are rarely pursued by police and caught.

• Motorcycles obviously provide a faster getaway than on foot and are faster than anyone chasing them on foot.

• It is normal for a motorcyclist to wear a helmet, and helmets act to conceal their identity.

• Motorcycles are less expensive to purchase than cars and offer a inexpensive mode of transportation, especially given fuel costs today.

• A second person may ride on back to act as the “trigger man” / money collector.

• Robbers are not limited in movement while on a motorcycle – there are no barriers such as the external structure/doors of a vehicle. There is free movement to use handguns, knifes, or other weapons.

Unfortunately, there are many examples of such robberies committed by persons on motorcycles, and American citizens have historically been targets. Just a few examples of such types of robberies:

• Near a well-known bakery in the Palmira section of Tegucigalpa, two Honduran males on a motorcycle robbed an American at gunpoint. As the victim was about to enter her car a motorcycle pulled up, stopped and the male on the back jumped off and grabbed the victim's arm and then put a gun to her, threatened her and stole her purse. The assailant then left on the back of the motorcycle. Both men had guns and there were security guards near the area. It is believed that the robbers may have cruised the same street twice before choosing their target. The incident took place in the early afternoon.

• In September 2005, an attempted car theft occurred in front of San Felipe hospital, in proximity to the ESSO gas station. The man was driving to pick up his wife from work at the located near the USAID building. In slow traffic, with his arm resting out an open window, the man was approached by assailants on motorcycle, who put a gun to his head and instructed him to leave his car. He refused. He took three shots in the chest and leg.

• On September 27, 2005 at approximately 1130 hours as a Honduran parent was coming to the American school to pick up her child, she was fired upon by armed assailants on two motorcycles. One round lodged in the driver's side door. During the attack, the assailants attempted to block the intended victim with two motorcycles, one in front and one from behind. The intended victim was able to evade attackers by steering around them and accelerating the vehicle past them.

These incidents are a reminder of the high crime situation faced here in Tegucigalpa. All of these incidents occurred in areas that locals as well as resident foreigners and diplomats frequent and consider safe. Crime in Tegucigalpa remains a serious problem. We all need to raise our security awareness and review our personal security practices. We ask that you read the other security advice given at http://honduras.usembassy.gov/english/mission/security.htm

In addition to the information contain in the link above, remember these tips when traveling by vehicle:

• Travel with your windows up and doors locked.

• Install a dark-tinted window film so that potential assailants do not know who, or how many, people are inside.

• Always scan your surroundings for possible threats. Use your rear-view mirror often and be especially wary of motorcyclists traveling in pairs.

• When stopped in traffic, leave enough space between your vehicle and the car in front of you so that, in the event of an emergency, you can quickly escape.