What Happened
Police in Colón arrested a Venezuelan man this Saturday after he allegedly robbed three laptops and personal belongings from a Ministry of Health worker and left her tied up inside a bathroom at the regional office.
According to the Police National, a security guard at the building raised the alarm after finding the woman bound in a third-floor bathroom. The victim described her attacker as wearing red shorts and a black jacket.
After the alert was broadcast over police radio, officers located a man matching that description on Calle 12 and Avenida Federico Boyd in Colón. Police said he was carrying the stolen items when he was detained.
Police Response
Major Reynaldo Rivera said the arrest was made in connection with alleged crimes of robbery and deprivation of liberty. He said the incident took place inside the regional office of the Ministry of Health on Saturday, April 4.
The police later recovered items including cell phones, rings and three laptops. The case was turned over to the judicial authorities for further proceedings.
Why It Matters
The incident adds to concerns about robbery and other high-impact crimes in Panama, where recent official figures show an overall increase in several offenses during the first two months of 2026. Robberies, injuries, theft and domestic violence all rose compared with the same period in 2025.
Nationally, robberies climbed 5.4% in January and February, while thefts increased 6.1% and personal injuries rose 20.2%. Domestic violence remained the most frequently reported high-impact crime during that period.
Crime Trends in Colón
Colón has shown a mixed pattern in recent crime data. Robberies fell slightly compared with the first two months of 2025, and thefts also declined. Domestic violence cases were down modestly as well.
Even so, authorities continue to monitor the province closely because of persistent public safety concerns and the broader rise in violent and property-related crimes across the country.