Once stopped, the passengers are robbed by waiting accomplices. In a 1999 incident, a U.S. Embassy family member was killed by a rock that shattered the car's windshield. Most criminals are armed with guns or knives and will use force. There have been cases of theft from hotel rooms and safe deposit boxes, and theft of unattended valuables on the beach and from rental cars parked near isolated areas or on city streets. A guarded garage or locked trunk is not always a guarantee against theft.
Armed robberies are common in urban and tourist areas, particularly in Caracas and Maracaibo.
Travelers must exercise caution in displaying money and valuables. A number of U.S. citizens have reported that Venezuelan officials at airports, immigration offices and police stations have demanded bribes. U.S. citizens should report immediately to the U.S. Embassy any such demand and attempt to provide the Embassy with the name and badge numbers of the individuals. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad , for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey.