Dear Warden:

Below please find a warden message from the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, Bolivia.  Please share this warden message with any U.S. citizens in Bolivia with whom you have contact.  We hope this information is useful to you.  If we may provide further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
American Citizen Services Unit
U.S. Embassy La Paz, Bolivia

WARDEN MESSAGE
U.S. EMBASSY LA PAZ, BOLIVIA
August 21, 2009

This warden message is being issued to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and residing in La Paz, Bolivia, that the Bolivian National Police is alerting citizens about a new method used by criminals to steal car parts, especially in Zona Sur of La Paz.  During the past few days, the thefts of car parts have increased in Zona Sur.  The thieves are known to be driving two Subaru Foresters, one black and the other dark grey, using different fake plate numbers.  The new modus operandi is to target vehicles parked in front of residences and then lock the front residence doors/gates with wire to prevent the owners from exiting during which time the criminals proceed to remove the vehicle parts (computer brain, mirrors, front/back lights, radios, etc.).

U.S. citizens residing or traveling in Bolivia are encouraged to register and update their contact information at the U.S. Embassy in La Paz and/or the U.S. consular agencies in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, Bolivia.  Registration may be done online and can be done in advance of travel.  Information on registering may be found at the Department of State's Consular Affairs web site: https://travelregistration.state.gov.  

U.S. citizens should consult the Country Specific Information for Bolivia, and the latest Travel Alerts, Warnings and Worldwide Caution at the Department's web site at http://travel.state.gov. 

Updated information on travel and security in Bolivia may also be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States or by calling 1-202-501-4444 outside the United States.  During regular work hours, the American Citizens Services unit at the Embassy in La Paz may be reached at 591-2-216-8297.  The consular agencies may be reached in Santa Cruz at 591-3-351-3477 and in Cochabamba at 591-411-1363.  For after-hour emergencies, please contact 591-2-216-8500.

We hope this information is useful to you.  If we may provide further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.
 
Sincerely,
American Citizen Services Unit
U.S. Embassy La Paz, Bolivia