Dominican Republic security forces conduct massive inspections amid rising vehicle thefts

Security forces in the Dominican Republic conducted large-scale joint operations involving the Armed Forces and the National Police. Over a 24-hour period, authorities inspected 19,760 people and registered 10,441 motorcycles and 8,994 vehicles across 160 strategic areas. The operation, coordinated by the Dominican Navy, resulted in the detention of 584 individuals, including 194 foreigners, and the seizure of various controlled substances and weapons.

These security efforts occur amid data showing a significant trend in vehicle theft within the country. Statistics from the first half of 2026 indicate that 2,120 vehicle thefts were reported. Motorcycles are the primary target, accounting for 92.5% of these reports, with 1,962 motorcycle thefts compared to 158 thefts of four-wheeled vehicles. While reports dropped by approximately 17.9% in the second quarter compared to the first, theft remains a notable issue, with Mondays seeing the highest frequency of reported incidents.