BajaNomad - Car Jackings South El Rosario

Car Jackings South El Rosario

Pages: 1 2 3

htnfool - 4-4-2009 at 07:05 AM

Came up from Mulege to the states in mid february and didnt' have any problems. Didn't see anything fishy. But we did catch a lot of fish, maybe that is what stinks?

bajachris - 4-4-2009 at 11:08 PM

Were headed down for the week manana. Plan to stop at normal places including the local police in Punta Prieta to see whats up. Not expecting any problems but still have the not in my stomach I always get the night before getting on that road. Will post a report in a couple of days.

Bajahowodd - 4-4-2009 at 11:25 PM

By the time you get to Punta Prieta, it probably won't matter that much. The most desolate stretch of highway will be behind you.

On a different note, I have two observations that may result in spirited responses. First, this thread has taken on an air of spooky stories around the campfire.

Second, I'm assuming the "back East" thing is referring to Binghampton. In my six decades plus, I've never been able to reconcile the gun thing. Our country has among the most liberal gun laws in the world. Probably a relic of the manifest destiny thing as the West was settled. But, even in countries that have the most restrictive gun laws, it still seems that contraband finds itself into the hands of nut jobs who do awful things.
Just don't know the answer.

As for Binghampton, It is truly a shame. The only glimmer of sunshine is that the perp wasn't some over the top anti-immigrant head case.

David K - 4-4-2009 at 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajachris
Were headed down for the week manana. Plan to stop at normal places including the local police in Punta Prieta to see whats up. Not expecting any problems but still have the not in my stomach I always get the night before getting on that road. Will post a report in a couple of days.

Just to be accurate, 'local police' do not patrol the highway.

Because you posted this a few days ago: "The police in Punta Prieta patrol everything between BOLA turn off and Jesus Maria. The Comandante is Martin and Theodora is one of the deputies. Nice guys."
I figured you meant the Hwy. Federal Police...???

In fact, the Cataviña local cop was an issue a while back because he was giving speeding tickets (or asking for mordita)... and Hwy. 1 is Federal control (Highway Patrol).

Have fun on your trip!

[Edited on 4-5-2009 by David K]

Bajahowodd - 4-4-2009 at 11:35 PM

I've made a donation to the Catavina guy. He's got co-conspirators, who help create an incident. Still wonder when he said I could go to the judge, just exactly where that was. I confess that while I know the drill, I was just too tired to protest.

Paulina - 4-5-2009 at 12:12 AM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=30633#pid3088...

We had a chance meeting with the Catavina officer. It didn't turn out as he planned, but it sure did waste a lot of his time when he could have been shaking others down.

I look for him now on purpose.

P<*)))>{

Bajahowodd - 4-5-2009 at 12:37 AM

Ya know, when all is said and done, I almost feel sorry for these guys out there. Of course I know it is illegal and unethical. But, there are times when one pays for the entertainment. Sometimes it's a bargain.

abreojos - 4-5-2009 at 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Ya know, when all is said and done, I almost feel sorry for these guys out there. Of course I know it is illegal and unethical. But, there are times when one pays for the entertainment. Sometimes it's a bargain.

Ya know, reinforcing bad behavior does the world no good. If we all did it we all would be still living caves and throwing rocks at each other. If you are not a part of the solution, you are part of the problem!

bajachris - 4-6-2009 at 03:35 PM

Made it down safely. There were no additional police or soldiers anywhere except El Rosario where the Pemex was overrun by soldiers. I counted thirty with 4 trucks. They were aware of the problems with Hi Jackings and advised us not to travel at night. Everyone I asked said do not drive at night.

The last story in the TJ paper posted here was verified by Punta Prieta police and they had photos of the two whom have yet to be caught. The MO is two cars, one in front and one in back stopping travelers in the desert. I was told that the best thing to do is give them a little bit of money and that they would leave you alone. If you fight you will be shot as they are armed. No one has been killed and the number of assaults is only four.

We found others with the same concerns as we have and hooked up in a convoy of 4 to 5 cars all the way through the desert. We will probably do this regularly just to be safe.

Sharksbaja - 4-6-2009 at 04:06 PM

Chris, so the number is 4 not 50? Four shot or four held at gunpoint?

Greatly exagerrated though scary just the same.

I'm gonna go regurgitate my truck now if you'll let me. :lol:

Sharksbaja - 4-6-2009 at 04:08 PM

I hope they have undercover decoys patrolling that stretch. Maybe the bad guys will pull over a Fed with an AK-47? Now follow me to the police station....... :saint:

tripledigitken - 4-6-2009 at 04:09 PM

Bajachris,

Glad you made it down safely, and I hope you enjoy your visit.

Have to say I'm not surprised that the number of assaults were 4 not 50 as first rumored.

For all the posters here to have missed that bit of news is unreasonable.

We traveled to Mulege and back in March and as usual no drama, just the typical trip. translation......................day after you get home you're thinking about the next one.

Ken

redmesa - 4-6-2009 at 04:25 PM

The local pastor here in Bahia Asuncion is working on our barda and he told us that a good friend of his was carjacked and beaten badly between Catavina and El Rosario 2 weeks ago. He was telling us the story in Spanish so much got lost in translation but he told us to not drive at night and to be wary on the lonely stretches.

mtgoat666 - 4-6-2009 at 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oxxo
No one has any first hand experience?

I drove that stretch April 4 going northbound, still in possession of my wallet and car

But if story is true, glad I was not aware of it when driving thru. Ignorance is bliss :lol:

elgatoloco - 4-6-2009 at 09:40 PM

We drove south 4/2 from SD to PSR via BOLA and back north to El Rosario last night and home to San Diego today. No problems. Yesterday and today we saw more vehicles headed southbound with camping gear then in all the other trips combined. There will be NO room left on the beaches of the SOC for the next week or so. Viva Semana Santa! Saw a few Federal Policia on the highway and the four truckloads of Army guys at Pemex in ER last night. Checkpoints were all courteous and professional. Road is in good shape, lots of new wide spots to ease up the grip on the wheel a bit.

Had a relaxing time on the beach with good weather, great friends and counting the days until we can head south again. The two hour wait at Otay and the subsequent trip to secondary by the smart ass CBP bonehead did not even take the smile off our faces.

As always, drive defensively, pay attention and leave room between vehicles so I can pass you. :saint:

DENNIS - 4-6-2009 at 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Have to say I'm not surprised that the number of assaults were 4 not 50 as first rumored.

Numbers have to be verified before we can jump to conclusions, Ken. Hope you're right.

tripledigitken - 4-7-2009 at 04:33 AM

Dennis,

Exactly my point regarding verification. The fact that the soldiers said 4 goes along way towards giving credibility to the story.

Ken

[Edited on 4-7-2009 by tripledigitken]

Hook - 4-7-2009 at 05:20 AM

Given the fact that nationals are so reluctant to report ANY crimes to the authorities, I have personally concluded that this is/was occurring but it was probably more in the neighborhood of 10-20 occurrances.

Clearly, they were targeting mex nationals. I have a theory that the Nomads website has become so popular that it is conceivable that as much as 30-40% of all gringos rigs who travel south of El Rosario for recreation purposes probably know about this site. If something had happened to them, we would have read about it here.

No hard stats in this............just an educated guess.

thebajarunner - 4-8-2009 at 04:40 PM

Traveled that stretch a couple times in the past couple of weeks.

The lack of traffic was amazing!
Very quiet south of El Rosario, all the way to Vizcaino and below.

Deduct trucks and buses and that road is empty!

BajaGringo - 4-9-2009 at 06:58 AM

I asked around San Quintin the last few days with several prominent, local business owners. They were all aware of the problem and said that the attacks were all targeted, not random. When I mentioned that I had heard it might have been as many as 50 they all laughed, saying that they had all heard of only a few attacks and nothing evening approaching that number. That includes a few businessmen who frequently travel that road south and I would presume to be well informed on the issue...

YMMV

[Edited on 4-11-2009 by BajaGringo]

Neal Johns - 4-9-2009 at 11:19 PM

John M, TacoFeliz, an old Baja hand, and I (four vehicles) got back from a week in Baja March 31. We were as far down as El Arco and had no problems. There was an unexpected Federal (only) checkpoint somewhere on a lonely stretch of Hwy. 1. Uneventful and fun trip. Trip report soon.

Neal and Marian Johns

David K - 4-9-2009 at 11:21 PM

Oh goodie!!! A Neal Johns trip report... !!! :bounce:

Skip_Mac - 4-11-2009 at 01:05 AM

Thanks Bajagringo for bringing a bit of reason to this thread. It started as a panicked flame. In the end it was no verifiable threat to norte Americanos. Sad for the locals caught in the local crime spree...but NO Threat to others can be documented.

BajaGringo - 4-11-2009 at 06:49 AM

Even if they are targeting locals, the fact that such an element exists does warrant concern. Reports of several arrests do make me feel better however I still would suggest taking extra precaution when traveling along lonely sections of highway.

You never know when you will come across a desperate bandido or even an overly zealous border patrol agent...

:rolleyes:

CaboRon - 4-11-2009 at 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Even if they are targeting locals, the fact that such an element exists does warrant concern. Reports of several arrests do make me feel better however I still would suggest taking extra precaution when traveling along lonely sections of highway.

You never know when you will come across a desperate bandido or even an overly zealous border patrol agent...

:rolleyes:

Always be vigilent when in territory where there is no rule of law.

woody with a view - 4-11-2009 at 07:02 AM

t minus 12 days, and counting. looking forward to dusty roads, big fish and a few waves!

surfer jim - 4-11-2009 at 08:12 AM

Where did you say the big fish and waves where at? :biggrin:

[Edited on 4-11-2009 by surfer jim]

bajario - 4-11-2009 at 12:34 PM

Came up through there yesterday. Didn't see anything but rain and southbound campers. Did pass about 6 military humvees heading south of Catavina full of soldiers.

CaboRon - 4-11-2009 at 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob
t minus 12 days, and counting. looking forward to dusty roads, big fish and a few waves!

Are you taking your new ride ?

woody with a view - 4-12-2009 at 08:52 AM

si.... gonna break it in.

fotos to follow, cropped of course! :light:

woody with a view - 4-12-2009 at 12:10 PM

yeah, BUDDY!

please remove all defining landmarks to keep the masses guessing. let them find it on their own. with all the info everywhere it ain't that hard.

it looks like a pretty decent so-hemi is gonna be rolling thru right on our days!!!!!! how lucky when you pick dates a month in advance. now we just need the weather to co-operate!

gracias Neptune!!!

[Edited on 4-12-2009 by woody in ob]

100_2553 (Small).jpg - 28kB

BajaNomad - 4-16-2009 at 03:50 PM

From a user that I believe hit the "Report" button on one of the posts to add an additional road "report" of this area.... I'll leave the username out in case I misunderstood....

--
Sent: 4-16-2009 at 02:37 PM
Message: I apologize for this very late report. My wife and I passed through the El Rosario to Guerro Negro highway on the 13th. We were constantly passing military vehicles. If there was a problem with banditos in that area, this message board may have had an impact. In 33 years of peninsula travel, I've never seen that heavy of a military presence.
--

woody with a view - 4-16-2009 at 04:03 PM

T-minus 7 days 'til takeoff..... :bounce:

Bajahowodd - 4-16-2009 at 04:53 PM

Of course, there's gonna be some complainer who hates getting stuck behind slow moving military convoys.

:lol:

Pages: 1 2 3