BajaNomad

Rosarito kidnapping

bancoduo - 1-7-2007 at 01:55 PM

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070107/news_1m7tjc...

DENNIS - 1-7-2007 at 02:08 PM

What is it about this story that rings a familiar bell?

Sackmaster - 1-9-2007 at 06:58 PM

As someone who enters into Tijuana from the San Diego side every so often, I sincerely appreciate you posting this information. From this article I note that:

--a 42 year old American man by the name of Ian Adams was at Fox Studios when 6 Mexican nationals grabbed him and took him away. Fox Studios in Rosarito Beach is where a large portion of the movie The Titanic was filmed. The same Titanic that starred Leonard Dicaprio and Kate Winslet. As you might imagine, Fox Studios in Rosarito Beach is a heralded tourist attraction.

--Ian Adams was a part-time resident of Rosarito Beach.

--the kidnappers demanded $30,000 for his release.

--they busted his nose and he spent most of his captivity in a closet.

News articles like this remind me that no matter where you live or wether you're rich or poor, it's all about staying healthy. Thanks for the heads up, Bancoduo. I'm sure there are other readers and lurkers out there who appreciate it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Playas_de_Rosarito

DENNIS - 1-9-2007 at 07:02 PM

SACKMEISTER -------

Wow........ How are you doing, Pal? So good to see you. Stick around and stir it up. We need some excitement.

Minnow - 1-9-2007 at 07:03 PM

Hey whats up Doc>?

JZ - 1-9-2007 at 07:41 PM

What a dumb article. What am I missing, what is the valor in taking someone you found who escaped a kidnapping to the police station?

A Connection????

bajaguy - 1-9-2007 at 07:46 PM

Adams said that he was buying used cars in the US and bringing them into Mexico to sell....(sounds like the Doc's story).......I think the investigation of both events (Adams and the "Doc") should center on Baja car dealers....they have the motive!!!!

DENNIS - 1-9-2007 at 07:58 PM

Yeah -------
Cal Worthington Gomez Espinosa needs to be severly questioned.

woody with a view - 1-9-2007 at 08:16 PM

Quote:

Cal Worthington Gomez Espinosa



and his perito "mancha"

Rosarito Kidnappings: "express kidnapping?"?

Woooosh - 1-28-2007 at 01:23 AM

Hi folks. I've watched the board and enjoyed the posts.

I am a younger American retiree living in the residential Villas Del Mar section of central Rosarito Beach for three years. The local Rosarito police believe I was recently targeted by “delinquents meaning to do me harm”. Fortunately we were not at home when a white van (escorted by a second white van) pulled to the front of our house mid-afternoon on January 10th and three men got out. None were in uniform but one clearly had a gun in his holster. One man remained in the van the whole time. Another man got out and took photos of the front door and my house (from behind the van) while two men knocked on the door, holding an official looking paper. Luckily a man that does odd jobs for us (and always keeps a watchful eye on our property) saw the van and the men and casually confronted them- asking if he could help by taking a message for us. He said the men became very nervous when he approached. They said they had “personal” business with us and would return later. They never did. We can't imagine who they were or what they would want from us. Fortunately, our home is very secure by design and we have a security camera that caught the complete episode (although in wide angle). We were able to share the screen-shot photos from our camera with the "secret police" detectives at the Rosarito police station, who determined that no official police business was being conducted at any level at the time, and that these men were to be considered "delinquents". They didn't come out and say it was an attempted kidnapping, but they did say they belived the men intended to do us harm in some way. Our friend is trying to help identify the men for the police, since he was actually face to face with them for a few seconds.

I did see on the TJ news last week that a lady escaped her kidnappers in TJ and led police back to the house where she was being held. Most of the kidnappers got away but the video footage showed four white vans and a white SUV parked at the house. I've asked the Rosarito police to ask the TJ police if a camera was found at that scene that might contain the photos of my house in it- so I can rest a little easier.

We live a fairly low-key life and change our routines around. We were aware of recent security problems from the Gringo Gazette and have escape plans in place for home and in the car. We have great relations with the neighbors (American and Mexican)- who mostly think I am the "white handyman" becasue that's the way I like it. I keep the streets clean by my house like all good neighbors and after three years of nodding/waving to everyone as they drive by- people know I am not afraid to work hard or help others. Those of you who try to "blame the victim" will find nothing I have done to bring this upon us. Our Mexican cousin in TJ just sold his hardware store and moved his whole family away after recieving specific phone threats against them- that convinced them they were in peril. Their teenage children were actually followed and the extortion phone calls reported their locations. From this I know it's not just Americans being targeted by these "delinquents" right now.

I have heard the so-called "express kidnappings" are getting more common and very often go unreported. They take you for a day or three and release you after draining your credit cards at the local ATMS. Has anyone heard about these crimes and how many do you think actually take place? Does anyone have any info/insight that could relate to my incident?

Also-- does anyone know if TASER guns are legal in mexico? (I wish I could say that was a totally unrelated question to the incident above)

Thanks for any help. I'm nervous but hanging it there- this is home now. I have rallied all the neighbors to be more vigilant and observant, but what's a man to do?

Anyone have thought on this?

The Rosarito Police

Sharksbaja - 1-28-2007 at 02:04 AM

Know exactly who these perps are. Count on it.

rosaritogringo - 1-28-2007 at 02:25 AM

Hi

Rosarito is a great place but it is becoming increasingly dangerous. A couple of years ago I had a very successful business there that required carrying a large amount of cash. One day as I was driving back to my apartment in Playas de Tijuana a car overtook me, slowed down and the passenger pointed a gun at me. I thought he was going to shoot and I put my head down and may even have feinted through sheer terror. Anyway, I just remember waking up in hospital. All my money gone and my car written off. Thankfully I just had a few scratches but if anyone else had been in that car they would have died. The roof caved in everywhere except the driver's side.

It turned out there were four cars involved all of whom carried 3-4 persons. I know this because guess who was standing on the other side of the road and witnessed everything (at Baja Malibu)? The police officer in Tijuana involved in investigating bank robberies! He was put in charge of investigating this robbery. Coincidence? Actually I think it was. But he was a lousy officer, and he also made it clear he had no intention of telling the Rosarito police what had happened. Most likely because they were involved in some way.

Why am I writing this. For a couple of reasons. First of all there is so much crap written on this board by Americans living in BC Sur who have absolutely no idea what BC North is like.

But more importantly Woooosh, I am very worried for you and beilieve you should move. I knew I might get attacked one day and was kind of expecting it. But what I wasn't expecting was that it would be so full-on. With so many people involved with so many guns. There is absolutely nothing you can do if they are coming to get you. And be careful about going to the police in Rosarito. More than likely they are the ones wanting to kidnap you!

Forget about cameras and being observant and vigilant. That will just give you a false sense of security. And as for a TASER, you are joking right?

My advice is move.

Woooosh - 1-28-2007 at 04:23 PM

I'm not known for carrying cash or for doing business in Mexico- so I thought my risk set was a little different. I know that if you deal in an all cash business (like used cars) you will eventually get involved wiith some criminal oppotunists.

I want to approach this problem differently. I have a well connected attorney who knows all the secret police as friends. I bought my lot from him and he built my house. We've done enough business over the years that we like and respect each other. I've never had to use him for a security issue before, but he's been handling this incident well for me as an intermediary with the police. I don't think he targeted me and I do think he has the connections to make the bad people look elsewhere for a target. I do trust this guy and if he had wanted to screw me- he could have done that during the land deal or more easily when building my house. I know he's pulled his gun on people who have tried to mess with him in business- and I like that he has a signed photo of Castro on his desk.

Here's my plan. Why try to fight a corrupt system- why not just reward those who can help you if you have people you can trust? Say I give my well-connected attorney a thousand bucks and he spreads it around the system to make sure people don't cause problems for me and to thank those who do keep a watchful eye out for me. Is this just plain dumb or is it just the Mexican equivalent to Italian-Amercians paying their local mafia for protection in early america? After all- Mexico is pretty much 60 years behind the curve and that's how it worked in the USA back then until teh sytem caught up.

Am I just nuts or can this work? Also. No the TASER isn't a joke. No on elikes a laser pointer target on their chest. Yes, I have other protection- but I would at leastlike to have one thing I know is legal.

Hook - 1-29-2007 at 06:26 PM

Woosh, I would worry that you would only get in to a bidding war with those intent on kidnapping you (or whatever they wanted) for this guy's protection. If he's even remotely connected with the whole cartel cum police force in Rosarito, allegiances can change fast.

Once you start to buy allegiance, then YOU will be known as a guy who has large amounts of cash, just like the other poster.

I wouldnt trust ANYONE with any kind of connections with the Rosarito police.

Rent the place out.......and move.

Cincodemayo - 1-29-2007 at 06:45 PM

Once you are "IN" you can never get "OUT".

Von - 1-29-2007 at 11:07 PM

You guys from Rosarito do have a point My family has been there since the 40s and I know it is corrupt and it will stay like that for a while that sucks! What can you do? Move is probably the right answer if you want a quick answer.. or live somewhat crapy in other words blend in somewhat like a local if your white with blond hair your some what screwed.. oh well thats life.. believe me... whats that murphys law" if it can happen it will happen?"
It also happens in Rosarito....

Bronco - 1-31-2008 at 12:19 PM

Here we are in 08' and Mayor Hugo, on the "Lawyer in Blue Jeans" radio show, admits that they do have corrupt police that probably were involved in the "couple" of problems Rosarito had recently. Mr. Blue Jeans partner
was drooling over the Mayor and how he owns a condo and is buying another in the new Rosarito Beach Condo project. The real joke was a caller identified as Diane "with a pretty texan drawl", who has lived in RB for twenty years and never been pulled over by a cop,treated unfairly etc,etc, etc, "it's worse when she goes to St. Louis to visit her son in the most crime ridden city in the US". Mr. Blue Jeans could not stop slobbering over how honest,hardworking and brave Hugo is to serve the people of RB etc. "Blue Jeans" stated it was to bad we don't have politicians like him in the US. Trust me it was much worse that this and I was going to post it
as I taped the whole show as I had sent email questions the day before, but it was a lovefest and the few callers were a waste of time and my emails were directed to the Mayors real methods and agenda!

Bronco

Hook - 1-31-2008 at 12:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bronco
Here we are in 08' and Mayor Hugo, on the "Lawyer in Blue Jeans" radio show, admits that they do have corrupt police that probably were involved in the "couple" of problems Rosarito had recently. Mr. Blue Jeans partner
was drooling over the Mayor and how he owns a condo and is buying another in the new Rosarito Beach Condo project. The real joke was a caller identified as Diane "with a pretty texan drawl", who has lived in RB for twenty years and never been pulled over by a cop,treated unfairly etc,etc, etc, "it's worse when she goes to St. Louis to visit her son in the most crime ridden city in the US". Mr. Blue Jeans could not stop slobbering over how honest,hardworking and brave Hugo is to serve the people of RB etc. "Blue Jeans" stated it was to bad we don't have politicians like him in the US. Trust me it was much worse that this and I was going to post it
as I taped the whole show as I had sent email questions the day before, but it was a lovefest and the few callers were a waste of time and my emails were directed to the Mayors real methods and agenda!

Bronco


AHHH...........they must have learned how to screen their callers from the Excellence In Broadcasting school.

DENNIS - 1-31-2008 at 12:27 PM

The station which hires ******-bag esq. should be turned over to the ethics police. Jeezo...What a scenario of failed journalism, the blind informing the blind.

bajaguy - 1-31-2008 at 12:31 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bronco
......The real joke was a caller identified as Diane "with a pretty texan drawl", who has lived in RB for twenty years and never been pulled over by a cop,treated unfairly etc,etc, etc, "it's worse when she goes to St. Louis to visit her son in the most crime ridden city in the US".....Bronco



maybe the "famous" Diane Gibbs????

DENNIS - 1-31-2008 at 12:42 PM

Probably so. Glad to see she finally came up for air and a change of kneepads.