I was with this group, but was not present on Thursday when the "capture" occurred.
It started when we arrived at Karpata on Sunday. Divers from the trucks we parked next to told us they had their shorts and t-shirts and hats and shoes taken. Then, about 15 minutes later, another group with about 6 trucks parked on the other side of the road returned from their dive and told us they had things stolen also. Shortly after that a "security guard" pulled up. He wanted to know what cameras and valuables we were leaving in our truck. We thought that odd, but responded truthfully that we didn't have any valuables and I had forgot my camera back at the hotel. At the same time, divers from the second group that was robbed, the first group had already left, came over to report the crime. Apparently that security guard was there when they went down the steps. He was not interested in their complaint at all. In fact, he kind of laughed at it (presumably since they were instructed not to leave anything of value). That was even more odd to me. I knew they couldn't do much about the theft, but thought they would take info for statistics or something.
When we returned from the dive, we found that our cooler with water/drinks were missing, and a basic save-a-dive kit was gone. So was the "security guard". We reported this to our dive op, knowing that not much investigation would occur. The value of lost items was minimal, but the thought that three separate thefts had taken place the same afternoon, at the same dive site, while security was present (off and on) seemed more organized than random. I was asked about the vehicle the security guard was driving, along with descriptions since there had been a security or police or someone with authority leading robberies in the past. We didn't had a lot of that info.
On Tues, about 5 trucks of us from this group surfaced at Ol' Blue (Toto). I found the same security guard, driving a different vehicle, checking out our trucks. He said he was making sure we didn't have any valuables to be stolen. When I commented that I knew him, and he was at Karpata when we had items stolen, he just laughed and said he remembered that incident. That's when we really became suspicious. I engaged him while another from the group searched his truck. We hoped to find cameras and dive related equipment, but didn't find anything. This time we noted the company name on his shirt, and the truck plate number. This was also reported to the Dive Op, and they were invited to the police station to present what we had found.
Then, on Thursday, some of our group found some kids hiding in the brush behind the ruins at Karpata. There was also a car(s) going around to what looked like to the group, to help pick up these kids. The group cornered the kids, and "captured" one. The same security company showed up (different person though) and was asked to call the police. The leader of our dive group speaks fluent Spanish, and heard this security officer call someone, and say that he was asked to call the police. Then he heard the officer say that he would tell us that the police were called, but couldn't respond, or something to that effect. That's when the leader called the dive shop again, and they in turn called the police. The group didn't have the police phone number with them. As I understand it, the kid they captured (I only heard of one captured, but there was more involved) also called his mom on his phone. His mom was there when three police vehicles arrived. They found a couple bikes the kids were using hidden in the brush. This kid was handcuffed. He and his mom were crying. He was transported to the police station. The group followed. They were asked to return the following day to sign a complaint, but I don't think any of them did. They either forgot or were diving.
I've mentioned this to two different friends who live on Bonaire. They both told me that nothing can be done with kids, who are simply released to their parents. There are no provisions for holding kids. They have no juvenile detention centers and can not be placed in jail with adults.
I am less concerned about the kids, and the ring leaders who recruit these kids. It is suspected that the kids take the stuff, and then someone with a car comes and picks it up. The biggest concern is that the security guard has either just left before the crime, or just returned after the crime. I believe this security guard is somehow involved. This belief has been escalated to upper level of Bonaire's government. Random theft by kids is one thing, but organized theft by adults - especially adults with whom we place extra trust, is different.
Bottom Line: Be very careful with what you tell the security guard, and be suspicious of any security at dive sites. When I left, it had not yet been determined if this company really was a company, and if so, that it was hired or had authority to patrol dive sites.
// ww
