comitan - 6-29-2008 at 11:33 AM
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Charges laid in Mexico murder
Canwest News Service
Friday, June 20, 2008
LOWER MAINLAND - A Canadian shot three times in the head while staying at a Cabo San Lucas hotel with his girlfriend was the victim of a botched
robbery, according to a Mexican police official who confirmed Thursday two men have been arrested and charged in connection with the May murder.
Ricardo Cruz Pineda, 35, of Acapulco, Mexico, and Frank Jule Sandoval, 48, of Los Angeles, Calif., are in custody facing the equivalent of a
first-degree murder charge in connection with the death of Bouabal Bounthavorn Ingo, 29, from Burnaby, who was gunned down while staying at Hotel Riu
Santa Fe.
His girlfriend, Masha Heikali, 24, also from Burnaby, was shot in the right ankle during the attack, which happened at around 11 p.m. May 15.
Baja California Sur state police Cmdr. Jesus Alberto said the two suspects had prior criminal records and were "occasional" friends of Michael
Thompson, 32, who was staying next door to Bounthavorn. Thompson, from Chicago, was recently charged with making false statements to authorities.
Alberto said the alleged assailants entered Bounthavorn's room after knocking on an adjoining door and claiming to be from the hotel. They used a 9-mm
handgun. He said the two men had been allegedly scouting Bounthavorn because he appeared to have a lot of money. Alberto said they were allegedly
looking for money for drugs.
Authorities found 9-mm shell casings in Bounthavorn's room and the gun in a hotel storm drain, he said.
Heikali is reportedly back in Canada.
© The Vancouver Sun 2008
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[Edited on 6-29-2008 by comitan]