BajaNomad

police robbery

aldosalato - 11-9-2004 at 07:33 PM

First time in 7 years I had a friend visiting being transported to local police office at 2AM while returning from local bar on the Malecon of La Paz.
2,500 Pesos disappeared from his pocket.
Today I went to Ministerio Publico to denounce such corrupted criminals and spoke directly to police chief.
Tomorrow we have to face such policemen and recognize them.
Will post how the story follow up.

El Jefe - 11-9-2004 at 08:18 PM

Thank you Aldo.
I have had three run-ins with corrupt cops in La Paz over the past two years. I don't give in to their extortion for supposed traffic violations, but I'm sure many do. They seem to have gotten a little fast and loos lately. Tom

JESSE - 11-9-2004 at 08:49 PM

Go after them Aldo, get those bastards fired.

Bruce R Leech - 11-9-2004 at 09:13 PM

Be Careful

It's not that easy

Tio Rocky - 11-10-2004 at 09:15 AM

Real careful?.. my common-law Mx wife had a car accident here in Ens?. Clearly the others fault? rear ended at a stop sign?. Arrested him and impounded his car?.. towed the wife?s car and took her to the hospital?. I was at the hospital within 10 minutes?. She was fine and released in about thirty minutes?. We then went to get the car and pull it home?. Took about another three hours to get it released?. Drove out to where they park the cars and within four hours of the accident found the groceries she had just purchased gone?. all her manicuring equipment gone and a two week old Stereo gone?. yanked right out of the dash?? didn?t even bother cutting the wires?.

Understandably I was %$#@&^# peeed and demanded the items back?. I was told they were removed for security reasons and I could pick them up at the office? I apologized for going off and drove back to the office?. You guessed it?. they didn?t have the stuff and said it was not their responsibility?? by this time it was getting late and I told the manager I would return in the morning and if everything was not there I would report it to the police?

Day 2 thru 7 were much the same with me being told everything was under control and to come back tomorrow to retrieve the stuff?. Around day ten the wife and I went to the Police department with our tow receipt. The police had inventoried the car contents prior to towing and noted the correct contents on our receipt? Slam dunk, right?.. wrong?

She filled out the report and we were told we would be contacted?. We left the station?. Stopped to eat?. Stopped to visit her aunt then headed home? a few blocks from the house we were pulled over by the police and she was asked to get out of the car and I was told to wait?. One of them took her aside and I could see there were both going at it pretty good?. She got back in the car and was very scared and upset and just said we?ll talk at the house?. Back at the house she said in no uncertain terms we had to drop the issue and never bring it up again?. She also said that the officer had the report she had just filled out and tore it up in front of her (we were not given a copy)?

It?s been about three months now and we have had no further contact with anyone? Now I know there will be some out there that will say we should do this or that but really?. What would be effective?

Tio Rocky

Moving

Tio Rocky - 11-10-2004 at 11:01 AM

I?m planning on moving to La Paz in the next 6 months to a year and was hoping it would be better there?? guess I was wrong?.

Still moving ,,,,, because there is way less TRASH!!!!!

Tio Rocky
Baja Events

Packoderm - 11-10-2004 at 07:22 PM

Maybe the best defense would be to not carry so much cash. I would imagine that when the police see me, they just see a walking turnip - no blood to squeeze out. I never dress any fancier than the average Mexican factory worker. Also, when they see me driving, they probably see a rolling turnip.

FOLLOW UP Nov 10

aldosalato - 11-10-2004 at 07:48 PM

Today we went to Police department and faced the criminals policemen.
They entered the room one by one.
Two got identified without any doubt.
Their position is that never saw my friend and that nothing irregular was reported that night.
One started to contradict himself while chief of the police started grilling him.
We left and we went back to Ministerio Publico with the names of the people we recognized and the name of the chief of police as witness.
I will be in Mexico City for next 5 days but I will be in touch with my friend and another friend helping on the matter and see how things develops.

Hey Packoderm.

FrankO - 11-10-2004 at 08:10 PM

Sometimes you need that much to do whatever your going to do. It's not like it's that huge of a sum if you've got plans and need it to accomplish your goals. Thieves are thieves no matter what they wear and shouldn't be tolerated.

Dave - 11-10-2004 at 09:55 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Hose A
It is a fact that if you have any dealing with the police you will get robbed at the very least.


Jeez Hose A, and I thought the Rosarito police were the worst.

The only time I'll go to Ensenada is to get to the other side!

aldosalato - 11-10-2004 at 09:58 PM

Really I am not much worried of consequences.
I have so many people that trust me and befriend me in my barrio that I would kick the ass of these bastards before they even have a chance to threaten me, my family or my properties.

Packoderm - 11-10-2004 at 10:04 PM

Aldo, it is may uneducated opinion that if you have more money than these crooked police, you have hand.

aldosalato - 11-10-2004 at 10:59 PM

I have more friends than money.
That is more important.
And my beloved Mexican wife kicks asses too!!

Packoderm - 11-10-2004 at 11:02 PM

Please keep us informed, and I wish you the best of luck. The good guy must win every so often.

[Edited on 07/17/2004 by Packoderm]

Packoderm - 11-11-2004 at 01:00 AM

A person can always stash cash about on his person, luggage, or car. Also, I guess I really, really work at keeping expenses down. I have no choice, but I don't feel that I am really missing out on anything by it. I also carry traveler's checks. They always seem to work in a pinch. I'd say I carry at least 1/2 of my money in traveler's checks. And, I really can't deny the turnip factor; I look pretty un-rich really.

JESSE - 11-11-2004 at 04:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by aldosalato
I have more friends than money.
That is more important.
And my beloved Mexican wife kicks asses too!!


I am in TJ Aldo, but i got your back.

update after two weeks

aldosalato - 11-22-2004 at 09:17 PM

"Los policias ratas" still deny any charge but are very worried and already entered already in a couple of major contradictions.
Now their lawyers are trying to demolish the accusations through technicalities.
They have one lawyer each and even the local police union provided with another lawyer.
I.E. No official translator was present, recognition of policemen was not done according to proper procedures,

They even tried to accuse Ministerio Publico of excess of interrogations and mistreatments........ hahahaha

Two articles appeared on local newspaper as well.

The battle will still be very long but at least the authority is trying to do its work so far.

Sounds pretty cool so far Aldo

jrbaja - 11-22-2004 at 09:23 PM

Are you enjoying it ? I think lessons may be learned from this, no? Keep up the good work!

synch - 11-23-2004 at 05:35 PM

What about contacting the Sindictura?

BajaNomad - 11-23-2004 at 06:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by synch
What about contacting the Sindictura?
I believe that department is for issues that only pertain to the Municipio de Tijuana.

http://www.tijuana.gob.mx/Turismo/TouristGuide/English/pag13...

http://www.sindicatura.gob.mx

--
Doug

Germanicus - 11-25-2004 at 12:24 PM

well, am I wrong ?
To me the problem starts with ?returning from a bar @ 2 oclock in the morning prsumably driving ?????
No Mexican drives along the ??Main Bar Street ?? in La Paz at 2 o clock and having the belly full of Cerveca.
So, what is the problem anyway?
That money pays for the failure to behave in traffic appropriately.
Am I wrong???
Otherwise have a nice day
Frank

Yes Frank

jrbaja - 11-25-2004 at 12:43 PM

you are probably wrong. The La Paz PD has been earning a reputation for years for false fines and apparently more than that.
Aldo knows La Paz and of what he speaks.
After driving straight through to La Paz years ago, I was fined for a piece of firewood that could possibly have fallen out of my truck but didn't.
Nevermind the fact that it made it from San Diego without falling out. We were so tired we paid the $20.00. Sure learned my lesson about carrying firewood and crooked cops though!:lol:

Germanicus - 11-25-2004 at 12:59 PM

well JR, good to know.

So I am learning my lesson by reading ,,, that?s cheaper.
But I make a wild guess::::
After I lived in BCS maybe for a year or two,,,, maybe I can report similar stories?
Seams to me highly possible.
Understanding the Mexicans and how they try to make money,, well,, it might not be appropriate how they do it, but isn?t it somehow understandable?
It all depends on on which side of the fence one is standing.
Take care
Frank

Yes indeedy

jrbaja - 11-25-2004 at 01:39 PM

reading is way cheaper:lol::lol::lol:
And yes, they do need money but, thievery is thievery and those that have experienced it on more than a couple occasions get tired of it.
And, as long as you are legal here, it is your right and duty to do something about it.
There was another incident farther north since you were gone and something is being done about it. We don't know the outcome yet but wheels are turning.
As many know on here, I am pretty outspoken about wrong information being given.
And I try to talk openly about pretty much everything rather than ignore problems as many who attack me for it seem to prefer.
In my opinion, it's the only way to find a way to remedy any issues or problems. Same applies to corruption.
The more it is discussed and dealt with, the more they will think about the consequences and perhaps at least cut down on these incidents in the future.
Have you gotten your FM3 ? That should be one of your first steps if you haven't already.

Germanicus - 11-26-2004 at 10:24 AM

Very correct what you are saying.
But do you really think you can change habits in BCS or all over Mexico by talking about a robbery / corruption ?
I highly doubt that.
Well I leanrned my first lessons (plural) already.
But thanks to bajanomad - info I was aware of them.
1. I purchased a car. Looked at it, drove it, everything o.k. papers as well.
When we agreed that tha car has to be delivered to Gardenias(where I stay) there was a huge hole in the console and in the trunk.
The stereo / radio was gone.
So I rehjected to take the car, although it was agreed in a (verbal) contract.

Then I purchased a different one.
When first time gasing it up, the pump already showed 103 pesos.
I just pointed wih the finger on the marker and the guy at the station just moved the lift >nozzel hangs on it< a little bit and ......... voila.... the marker resets to zero.
Thanx folks for those warnings.
But I guess, as mentioned already, I will make my experiance the hard way > which is o.k. > it is Mexico.
JR, FM3 I got 6 month time for doing that. I do have the papers already, but want to wait because of the question: Where did you live during the past three month.
I guess, when I can answer that question by saying : lived in BCS, it might make it easier.
What do you think?
Take care and see you soon.
Frank

aldosalato - 11-26-2004 at 08:32 PM

My friend was walking home, not driving........

Problem is that the policemen denies even having met and taken him to the main station.
They are blatantly lying about the whole story because they know they could go to jail.

In ten days my friend will fly back to Italy.
Technicalities (yes even in Mexico lawyers protect better a thief than an honest person) will probably save the corrupted police from getting fired........ but we will try to keep the fight on till the end........

POLICEMAN GOT FIRED!!

aldosalato - 2-28-2005 at 08:02 PM

The CONTRALORIA MUNICIPAL fired the guy that stole the money.
MARCO ANTONIO VILLANUEVA has no job anymore.
He is still subject to criminal charges at Ministerio Publico but doubt he will go to jail.
In any case I am happy enough with the sentence from the La Paz Municipal Government.

VIVA MEXICO!!!

lizard lips - 2-28-2005 at 08:14 PM

Good JOB Aldo! Everyone should do this in these cases.....Even you TIO ROCKY.....Im sorry for what happened to you and your Wife but you should have gone to the Ministerio Publico and filed a complaint. It is the only recourse we have living in Mexico.::cool:

I keep these numbers

yankeeirishman - 2-28-2005 at 08:46 PM

You may want to keep these numbers in your wallet. They will help with "police problems" if you have a decent complaint. Sometimes a call from them to police headquarters does well. The Mexican Ministry of Tourism wants your dollar spent in their cities; this department does react to corruption complaints.

In Case of Emergency

Call (55) 5250-0123, the 24-hour hotline of the Mexican Ministry of Tourism. They also have a national toll free number: (01) 800-903-9200.

[Edited on 3-1-2005 by yankeeirishman]

Thanks

Jack Swords - 3-1-2005 at 07:13 AM

Thanks Aldo from the rest of us living in La Paz. I have found that making the authorities aware of a problem has sincere listeners. To ignore corruption and/or thievery just allows it to continue. It's not a perfect world, here or in the US, but every little bit helps. Mexico is changing in many ways and we have found gov't officials to want to do the right thing.

Bajabus - 3-3-2005 at 06:55 AM

One of the worst offenders in the mordid category in LP is the motorcycle cop at the northern end of the malecon where it turns inland. Between that point and the CCC you can usually see him with some hapless tourist or gringo pulled over to the side. He is very aggressive but if you stand your ground and ask to be taken to the police station he backs down. Particularly if he asks for payment of the fine upfront and you say no problem he just has to give you a signed recipt for it with the plate # of his bike. Then you get the "well this is a warning sing song"
The guy is bad news.

JESSE - 3-3-2005 at 05:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by aldosalato
The CONTRALORIA MUNICIPAL fired the guy that stole the money.
MARCO ANTONIO VILLANUEVA has no job anymore.
He is still subject to criminal charges at Ministerio Publico but doubt he will go to jail.
In any case I am happy enough with the sentence from the La Paz Municipal Government.

VIVA MEXICO!!!


Aldo, i would one day love to drink a Pacifico with you, congratulations on a job well done!!!!