Authorities Warn of Thefts at Playa 72 in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Authorities have confirmed multiple thefts of personal belongings at Playa 72, a popular beach also known as “Colosio Beach,” in recent days, warning that thieves are hiding in nearby vegetation and targeting unattended items.

Osiris Ceballos Díaz, director of the Tourist Police, said several incidents have occurred at the location, apparently when beachgoers leave their belongings to enter the water or run with their pets, as the area is designated as pet-friendly.

Thieves Hide in Nearby Vegetation

A group of individuals is reportedly hiding in the vegetation adjacent to the beach, waiting for someone to leave a backpack or other belongings unattended.

Ceballos Díaz emphasized the importance of victims filing formal complaints to enable authorities to follow up and apprehend those responsible, noting that several suspects have already been identified.

The beach attracts a large number of tourists, locals, and dog owners. On weekends, officials estimate at least 100 pets visit with their owners, in addition to other swimmers.

Activists Call for Designated Dog Areas

Sergio Beristain, a member of the civil association “Dog Beach,” said they are in talks with authorities to define specific areas where dogs can be off-leash and others where leashes are mandatory.

Beristain noted this has become a significant issue because Playa 72 is a very popular spot for people to let their dogs run free, due to a lack of suitable parks in the city. However, the high volume of swimmers means it is unfair for them to be disturbed by pets.

“We need a specific area, further away, where they don’t disturb others, and another where animals must be on a leash,” he said.