BajaNomad

Border town Kidnappings

lizard lips - 3-5-2005 at 06:37 PM

Tonight Sat. 3-5 on the Fox channel ( Americas Most Wanted) will be a segment on bordertown kidnappings. I think this will be very informative for those of us who spend any amount of time in these locations. I have investigated several of these in the recent past. Be careful out there:yes:

Bruce R Leech - 3-5-2005 at 07:37 PM

Thanks Mr. Lips we will check it out

Border Kidnappings

capn.sharky - 3-5-2005 at 10:24 PM

Lips---Thanks for the heads up on this story. We are all concerned about our safety when crossing into Mexico. Apparently, the cartels are behind this. What do you suggest we do if we are stopped by Tijuana police. Since the police are not to be trusted I am thinking of just keeping on going and ignoring them. On the other hand, I don't want to pee off a legitament policeman.:yawn:

yankeeirishman - 3-6-2005 at 08:58 AM

In Mexico City where it is the "wild west", we used to go in groups. Either four or more per car, or two or more cars. Both cars were to stop if pulled over. At the very least, it helped our state of mind.

TMW - 3-6-2005 at 09:47 AM

I was thinking of posting this on the Off Road section but maybe it would be better served here. This involved the Collins racing team coming back from the SF250 race last Sunday at about KM53. It's told by one of their members.

Well here's my side of the story. At about 9 am our semi was going north about 20 miles south of Mexicali. They were in one of the last sweeping turns before town. When they saw three cars traveling south at a high rate of speed. The first two cars missed the semi. The third car lost control and slid into our lane. Hitting the front fender of the tractor and sliding most of the way down the trailer.Then ripping the drivers side door off the car and tossing the driver out. The car then started spinning and collided with a Ford excursion tearing the rear axle out of the Ford. Then the two vehicles slid to a stop. The semi had to find a place to pull over that's why it was down the road. The highway patrol was just south of the accident checking speeds. They were told by the locals that the semi cut the turn and was in the oncoming lane. So as normal procedure in Mexico the police took all the drivers involved to jail and impounded all the vehicles involved. I sent a chase truck to follow the patrol car with my driver and the driver of the excursion. The officer noticed the truck following and tried to lose them. At times running over 100 mph in town. And running red lights. I made a few sat phone calls and had an attorney waiting at the police station. And also talked to Troy Herbst and Gus Vildosola. Troy had an attorney lined up to help us too. Within 15 minutes Gus had one of his managers at the police station helping us. We were told that the passengers in the car had decided to change their story when the found out that they also had to give testimony in front of the D.A. At 7:30 PM our driver was finally released. We were told that we could pick up our truck and trailer the next day. Now were being told that maybe we can pick it up on Friday. I'm just wondering what's going to be left? At least we have full coverage on it including its contents. I'll let you know what happens from here. I'd also like to thank Troy Herbst and Gus Vildosola for all the help. Robbie

lizard lips - 3-6-2005 at 05:45 PM

Capn. Sharky,
Now that you ask I better give you a little history on what I do and what I have done in the past. My Dad was a PI in Orange County when I was born and I went to work for him when I first got my drivers license (alot of surveillance). We worked on the Hillside Strangler, Nightstalker, and Freeway Killer cases for the Defendant (court appointed) Homicides, Kidnappings, Domestic,anything that came around. We probably were the best PIs in that area for a long time. In fact my 75 year old Father is still working. I was burned out, went to Ensenada and planned to stay at my parents beach home for 4 months but I am still here 17 years later. I needed to do something that would keep my base here in Ensenada so I started to do Life Insurance Investigations, Kidnap Investigations, and Homicide work. To date I have worked in 63 different countries in the last 10 years. Most of that work has been in Mexico, the mainland mostly however I have been to and worked in every major city in Baja Norte and Sur. I deal with the Ministerio Publico and Municipal Police in Mexico and all of these offices are pretty much the same throughout the country. As I am sure you are aware most of the Mexican Municipal Police are not trained or paid the same as Police in the U.S. and of course there is the good ol' boy system where if you are involved in an accident with a Mexican National and do not have a witness as to your side of the story, you better grab hold of your short hairs because you are about to take a journey where many of us have gone before. THE BANK! This is the problem---How do we overcome these problems. First and foremost you must not get angry or show any frustration towards any authority figure. You have to bite your tongue. This will get you to step 2. Just relax and dont show any fear. If you show fear it will show the Cop that he has all the power and you have pretty much lost your case. Do what they tell you to do. Do not---run from the police or resist. You will only make matters worse. Just remember to always do the right thing while driving your car through TJ or any where. Do not drive if you have been drinking. There was a American Woman recently in Rosirito who was at a party and had 3 glasses of wine. While she was driving home she had a blowout, lost control of her vehicle and hit and killed 3 people on the side of the road. Her alcohol blood level was below the DWI limit however just because she did have alcohol in her system she was taken to jail and sentanced to 30 years in prison. She is currently in TJ prison and will not get out until she is 77 years old.

Even though I live in Ensenada and must drive to San Diego often I do not like to drive in TJ. Who does? Its another world in that city. I have been stopped a few times but have kept my cool and have told them that I have been retired from law enforsement in the US and generally I get cut loose, but when I was pulled over it was for an infraction that I know I really did. Speeding, not coming to a complete stop. (who comes to a complete stop in Mexico). Just keep your head and whatever you do dont stop in TJ for anything. Just keep going----

If I was to trust any police agency in Mexico it would be the Federal de Caminos (Mexican Highway Patrol) not because my Brother in Law is a Captain here in Ensenada but they call it as they see it for the most part. What happened to TWs friends was a real mess but there again the witness had alot to do with what happened.

I have been to most of the border towns in Mexico from Matamoros to Nogales and everywhere in between and they are all the same. The bars and prostitutes and corrupt police. Why? Because the Americans are the people who frequent these establishments. They get extremely drunk get thrown in jail, call mommy, mommy calls me and I go and get them out with the help of my contacts. Just recently two 20 year old men were thrown in jail in TJ for possesing steroids. Who called the police--The pharmacist. It only cost them 5 grand each, better than 5 years but that is what they were facing. Please dont be stupid.

Now getting back to your question, I really dont think the cartel's are involved in the kidnappings that have been taking place along the border. Why would they be involved. Most of the missing were not kidnapped for ransom, they were abducted and probably robbed and killed. The drug cartels are involved in drugs period. They certainly are not going to abduct someone for absolutly no reason and bring attention to themselves. It does'nt make sense. An American goes to Mexico and is never heard from again. A Mexican goes to the U.S. and is never heard from again. This has been going on ever since I can remember. It seems that this time of year there are alot of stories on the television where murder and kidnappings are highlighted in Mexico. This is done year after year. I was interviewed on the Good Morning America Show several years ago in April about my investigation regarding the two American men from Nevada that were murdered just South of San Quintin. They kept pressing me to tell them that Mexico was a very dangerous place and you better not travel here. Well I never said that and the interview was cut short. Maybe it has something to do with politics and to keep the tourist dollar in the states rather than abroad. Well Im sorry for being long winded it is just Im a little upset that Tiger just beat Phil again and Im releaving my stress.

If there is anything I can do for any of you anytime just let me know. I really enjoy your stories but the P-nche gringo thing has to go:bounce:

pappy - 3-6-2005 at 07:17 PM

what you say is so true.just follow the rules, keep your eyes straight ahead on the road and get through TJ.in fact, i no longer stop in ensenada anymore either.i just don't like being in a place that i could be targeted for questioning or fines for something i did not due.eg, three years ago going thru tj at 4 am i got pulled over for speeding-not.then the officer changed his story to i need to be in the right hand lane-the left is for passing only.well, i just came down the grad from tj and made the sherp right turn onto mex i going ever so slow and of course turned directly into the right ahnd lane, which was the lane i was in when he pulled me over.i saw two things: one, it was no use arguing with him, that i WAS in the correct lane and two, he was a young, presumably new officer,the older one was in the car,so i figured he was "learning the ropes" of mordida, and since i wanted to get on with it, i just paid him then and there.no way did i do anyhing wrong -period, other than being in the right place at the wrong time.this was not the first, and probabaly won't be last, but if i can do whatever i can to avoid these little trists, i do, including not stopping or spending time in the border areas.the odds are........

Lizard Lips

capn.sharky - 3-6-2005 at 07:53 PM

You may have me mixed up with another shark. I don't believe I have used the P-nche gringo expression on this site. I try to keep as civil as I can and not flame anyone. As for your history---that was really interesting. You have had quite a life. I wondered too, the other night on America's most Wanted, about the cartels being involved in the kidnapping. It just didn't make any sense to me. I was involved in the insurance business also---but was a broker. Nothing as exciting as your career. I am now retired and spend all my time in Mexico in Loreto. I love Loreto and its people. Thank you again for your advice.:)

TJ'sworse than Mexicali?

Arthur - 3-6-2005 at 10:17 PM

Good, sensible advice. Also good to have a sat phone and a Mexican lawyer to call with it. That leaves me out. You're mentioning TJ and Ensenada, though, and I thought Mexicali was where all the kidnapping action was.

So you guys don't buy the idea that the cartels snatch someone when they run out of cash temporarily? Seems like a messy way to get funds if you're already into moving drugs, but I believed it when I read it.

Dave - 3-6-2005 at 10:34 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by lizard lips
There was a American Woman recently in Rosirito who was at a party and had 3 glasses of wine. While she was driving home she had a blowout, lost control of her vehicle and hit and killed 3 people on the side of the road. Her alcohol blood level was below the DWI limit however just because she did have alcohol in her system she was taken to jail and sentanced to 30 years in prison. She is currently in TJ prison and will not get out until she is 77 years old.



Are you speaking of Christie B.? If so your facts are distorted.

She got blind drunk (her usual routine) at the Palm Grill, passed out in her car, swerved off the road and killed two teenage girls and their mother.

She is currently awaiting sentencing in TJ.

Dave - 3-6-2005 at 10:39 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Arthur
So you guys don't buy the idea that the cartels snatch someone when they run out of cash temporarily?


The cartels don't run out of cash....ever. Combined, they have more money than Bill Gates.

lizard lips - 3-6-2005 at 11:53 PM

Dave,

The accident happened in August of 2000 on the dirt road that runs North and South just North of the Pemex refinery. The Husband of Margaret Wilson was recieving alternative Cancer treatments at a facility just off this road. Margaret was at a friends home in Rosirito and had three glasses of wine within a 4 hour time period. She was returning to visit her Husband when her right front tire blew and she hit and killed two boys, 5 and 11, brothers, and a friend of the boys who was 13. Her Husband hired me to investigate shortly after the accident however he died a month later. They were from Wisconsin. A terrible situation for all partys. She has been sentanced.

lizard lips - 3-6-2005 at 11:56 PM

Capt. Sharky,

I did'nt mean you regarding the "P-nche gringo" statements. I was just referring to some of the other posts that have been made. :yes:

Bedman - 3-7-2005 at 01:55 AM

L.L.

A most intriguing story. I'll bet you have some that would make the OTHER hairs on my back stand up!
Have you ever considered putting them all together in a book?

and, Yes! I'm pretty tired of the P-nche Gringo crap too.

Bedman

TMW - 3-7-2005 at 08:52 AM

LL thanks for the insight. I do think I would give serious thought to getting out of there if I thought I might spent the next 30 years in a Mexican prison.

Concerning the woman in prison. Couldn't she (meaning her lawyers) make a deal where she pays restitution to the families of the dead boys and get her sentence reduced?

Dave - 3-7-2005 at 09:29 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by lizard lips
Dave,

The accident happened in August of 2000 on the dirt road that runs North and South just North of the Pemex refinery. The Husband of Margaret Wilson was recieving alternative Cancer treatments at a facility just off this road. Margaret was at a friends home in Rosirito and had three glasses of wine within a 4 hour time period. She was returning to visit her Husband when her right front tire blew and she hit and killed two boys, 5 and 11, brothers, and a friend of the boys who was 13. Her Husband hired me to investigate shortly after the accident however he died a month later. They were from Wisconsin. A terrible situation for all partys. She has been sentanced.



30 years? Her lawyer is the one who should be doing 30 years. Did they make restitution to the family? Testimony from locals as to her character?

The girl I mentioned will do 8 max. And most of that in a U.S. prison. The family spent large dollars for the best attys and minimized publicity.

In Mexico, if you have money or connections, anything's possible.

lizard lips - 3-7-2005 at 10:48 AM

Dave,

Money was certainly an issue. Their funds were depleted due to the Cancer treatments. I would like to go into detail on this but because I am involved legally I will not disclose information on the Internet about what is currently taking place.

Arthur - 3-7-2005 at 11:39 AM

"In Mexico, if you have money or connections, anything's possible. "

Sure am glad it's not like that up here.

But what about Mexicali vs. the dreaded TJ, guys? Regardless of who's doing the snatching, isn't Mexicali supposed to be Kidnapping Central?

[Edited on 3-8-2005 by Arthur]

Braulio - 3-7-2005 at 06:30 PM

LL - just out of curiosity - I remember a friend (Marco Topete) of mine telling me he had rented an apartment to a PI and his son in San Marcos Mexicali - was that you folks? It would have been a while ago.

lizard lips - 3-7-2005 at 08:25 PM

No, never lived in Mexicali. I do mantain a residence in La Jolla, Ca. and Ensenada. I also have an Apt. in Mexico City.