BajaNomad - K38 Surf Shop Theft

The only people that got broken into were the people that were in his store. The security guard was out front the entire time.

Sounds like k-38 surf shop is not a shop but a crime racket.
If the victims don’t tell the world about ripoffs on yelp and google reviews, the criminal enterprise will continue.

woody with a view - 9-23-2018 at 04:42 PM

Is this at 38 or the one north of Calafia?

wyatthurley55 - 9-23-2018 at 04:50 PM

South of Calafia just across from Jesus.

willardguy - 9-23-2018 at 04:52 PM

Is this at 38 or the one north of Calafia?

are you talking about K38 off the toll road?

wyatthurley55 - 9-23-2018 at 05:01 PM

Is this at 38 or the one north of Calafia?

are you talking about K38 off the toll road?

Literally right across from Jesus

willardguy - 9-23-2018 at 05:03 PM

Is this at 38 or the one north of Calafia?

are you talking about K38 off the toll road?

Literally right across from Jesus

just trying to understand where the other one is :?:

so while your stuff was disappearing did you enjoy a craft beer at Sin Fronteras?

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by willardguy]

wyatthurley55 - 9-23-2018 at 05:23 PM

Is this at 38 or the one north of Calafia?

are you talking about K38 off the toll road?

Literally right across from Jesus

just trying to understand where the other one is :?:

so while your stuff was disappearing did you enjoy a craft beer at Sin Fronteras?

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by willardguy]

We did. Those guys were super nice and were so upset. They even gave us all a free beer.

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by BajaNomad]

BajaBlanca - 9-23-2018 at 06:10 PM

This is awful.

:mad:

mtgoat666 - 9-23-2018 at 06:58 PM

Is this at 38 or the one north of Calafia?

are you talking about K38 off the toll road?

Literally right across from Jesus

just trying to understand where the other one is :?:

so while your stuff was disappearing did you enjoy a craft beer at Sin Fronteras?

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by willardguy]

We did. Those guys were super nice and were so upset. They even gave us all a free beer.

How do,you,know that the bar staff were not part of the criminal enterprise? I,can imagine the bartender using radio or cell phone to tell the B&E guys your whereabouts, being lookout for the crime. Surf shop + bar+ gringos on vacation + SUV’s full of high-value toys, technology and cash - if I were a criminal, that would be a great place to set up an operation! Ka-ching! Bingo!

Nice touch, the lookout guys consoling you with free beers!

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by mtgoat666]

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by BajaNomad]

wyatthurley55 - 9-23-2018 at 07:11 PM

I don’t know he wasn’t, but they were both American owners and that was a little reassuring Regardless I’m never going back.

Getting the Goods

MrBillM - 9-23-2018 at 07:12 PM

Back in '92 waiting at the Avis rental counter in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, the customer ahead of me asked "we just came from Jamaica and there we were advised to always leave the rental car unlocked so any thieves didn't damage the vehicle breaking in. Is it the same here ?"

"No", the clerk said "but always put your belongings in the trunk out of sight. They only break into the vehicles where they can see something to steal".

Good advice for Baja ?

Or, anywhere.

wyatthurley55 - 9-23-2018 at 07:17 PM

Quote: Originally posted by MrBillM

Back in '92 waiting at the Avis rental counter in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, the customer ahead of me asked "we just came from Jamaica and there we were advised to always leave the rental car unlocked so any thieves didn't damage the vehicle breaking in. Is it the same here ?"

"No", the clerk said "but always put your belongings in the trunk out of sight. They only break into the vehicles where they can see something to steal".

Good advice for Baja ?

Or, anywhere.

Definitely. But when you have a single cab prerunner, there’s no other place to put your stuff. Before the Baja 1000 I’ll have a camper shell reinforced with expanded sheet metal. There won’t be anymore easy snatch and grabs from me.

mtgoat666 - 9-23-2018 at 07:27 PM

I don’t know he wasn’t, but they were both American owners and that was a little reassuring Regardless I’m never going back.

You are a fool if you think that gringos are less prone to criminal behaviour than Mexicans. Criminal behaviour does not differ by nationality or ethnicity.

wyatthurley55 - 9-23-2018 at 07:51 PM

I don’t know he wasn’t, but they were both American owners and that was a little reassuring Regardless I’m never going back.

You are a fool if you think that gringos are less prone to criminal behaviour than Mexicans. Criminal behaviour does not differ by nationality or ethnicity.

I don’t think that gringos are less prone to criminal behavior. My entire house got ransacked last year in California while I was in Baja on vacation. I have zero trust or respect for anyone at that complex because their “security guard” was out front when it happened. And unfortunately the American owned brewery looks directly down on the spot where my truck and another Americans Jeep got broken into. They had the perfect vantage point. If there’s one thing that gets to me, it’s people who are thieves, and there damn lucky we didn’t catch them in the act.

Lee - 9-23-2018 at 09:50 PM

I'd use extreme caution around that shop. After looking around I noticed at least 10 other windows that were laying on the ground.
[Edited on 9-23-2018 by wyatthurley55]

Almost there. Just use caution everywhere in Baja, not just where you got ripped off. This stuff happens everywhere.

Get an alarm for your vehicle. Had an alarm been activated, you'd have heard it and been running for your truck.

As for storing valuables in the trunk of a rental? You guys must think thief's are stupid. The trunk will open as quickly as a locked door -- about 2 seconds.

Don't leave valuables in your vehicle. Keep passports and valuables on you. Install an alarm on your vehicle and use it.

chuckie - 9-24-2018 at 03:30 AM

Keeps on getting worse, doesnt it?

A?ejo Coca - 9-24-2018 at 07:40 AM

The rash of smash and grab teams have been rampant all over the region, especially in popular tourist parking areas. They're starting to crack down on this activity in the tourist zone downtown, so it only makes sense that the criminals look elsewhere to work.

Don't get me wrong - getting ripped off sucks 100%. I'm NOT discounting that, but I think this story needs some clarification. Jacinto Garcia is the owner of K38 Surfshop and he's a solid guy. He's helped tourists in need, and even some in horrible situations many times. The surf shop doesn't serve margaritas, so this "owner" must be from one of the neighboring businesses.

No reason to smear the wrong business. What business were you actually in?

Bottom line: I never leave valuables in my ride. If I'm traveling and have multiple bags, I have my back pack with the my valuable electronics, passports, etc with me when I go into a restaurant and make sure I have line of sight with my ride, or I'll find another place to eat with a parking attendant, or one of us stands watch.

wyatthurley55 - 9-24-2018 at 07:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by A?ejo Coca

The rash of smash and grab teams have been rampant all over the region, especially in popular tourist parking areas. They're starting to crack down on this activity in the tourist zone downtown, so it only makes sense that the criminals look elsewhere to work.

Don't get me wrong - getting ripped off sucks 100%. I'm NOT discounting that, but I think this story needs some clarification. Jacinto Garcia is the owner of K38 Surfshop and he's a solid guy. He's helped tourists in need, and even some in horrible situations many times. The surf shop doesn't serve margaritas, so this "owner" must be from one of the neighboring businesses.

No reason to smear the wrong business. What business were you actually in?

Bottom line: I never leave valuables in my ride. If I'm traveling and have multiple bags, I have my back pack with the my valuable electronics, passports, etc with me when I go into a restaurant and make sure I have line of sight with my ride, or I'll find another place to eat with a parking attendant, or one of us stands watch.

I was drinking a margarita from Baja pig while talking with the owner of K38 Surf Shop in his shop. People keep telling me he’s a great guy, but when he told me he could get us our passports back, that was a serious red flag. And when I asked him what he meant he walked off, when I followed him and asked him again he told me to F*** off and never come back. He then proceeded to tell my father and brothers to F*** off. And when the police showed up he told me to pack my s*** and go back to Colorado and never come back to Baja. He was a complete a$$****. The police literally told me it happens in that parking lot all the time. How else am I supposed to react? Everything that transpired points directly at K38 surf shop.

John Harper - 9-24-2018 at 08:00 AM

How did you get back without your passports? Is theft/damage covered as part of your insurance? Who wrote the insurance? Have they been responsive to your claim? Have you been paid?

What did the police tell you to do? Did the police ask if you had your FMM, passport, or any kind of ID? How did they handle that?

Some of these questions might help others in the same situation.

Did you take pictures of your passport/FMM/CDL and keep on your phone? Maybe that's a good idea for all of us?

John

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by John Harper]

A?ejo Coca - 9-24-2018 at 08:01 AM

Thanks for the clarification. I've never hear of Jacinto doing something sideways like that. Not good to hear.

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by BajaNomad]

wyatthurley55 - 9-24-2018 at 08:10 AM

I always keep my passport in my back pocket due to a previous passport getting stolen in Cabo. So I was in the clear, but my brother and friends weren’t so lucky. The police asked us for our ID’s and they snapped a picture of it. They then told us to go to the attorney general’s office and report the stolen passports. After that the police bailed. We went and reported the passports stolen, and then I called my insurance who was through Baja Bound and they are going to cover the window replacement, but none of the gear inside the vehicle. I was staying at the Rosarito Beach Hotel and luckily I have multiple local friends in rosarito and they made sure my truck was good. I love Baja and won’t stop going back. But this is getting old

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by wyatthurley55]

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by wyatthurley55]

Barbless - 9-24-2018 at 08:20 AM

Hello BajaNomad folks! After trolling for what seems like forever, I had to make a reply. So for over 30 years of back and forth northern Baja/San Diego afternoon surf jaunts, my truck ultimatley falls victim to the break in. Parked in the dirt on a Thursday just 50 feet south of the K-38 store. Some device inserted under my Tundra driver door handle, popped the door open and didn't activate the alarm. Took my wife's makeup bag and I take blame not enforcing my rules of stashing EVERYTHING out of sight before parking. Enjoyed a beer at Fronteras then strolled to Las Rocas for a sunset appetizer. Security guard was in the area. Didn't even notice the missing bag or the indent next to my door handle until the next day. So just a heads up! Be weary of that zone unless parked directly in front of Taco Surf or within eye sight. Cheers!

SFandH - 9-24-2018 at 08:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Barbless

Some device inserted under my Tundra driver door handle, popped the door open and didn't activate the alarm.

Wow! High tech thieves. Does anybody know more about these devices? Hate to think my elaborate truck alarm is ineffective.

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by SFandH]

A?ejo Coca - 9-24-2018 at 09:03 AM

I think alarms may give a false sense of security. I've seen videos of these smash and grabs and they happen incredibly quick, like an F1 pit stop. If anything the alarm probably make them work even quicker.

I'll take a guess that the high tech equipment required to pop a Tundra handle may have been a screwdriver?

There's nothing better than a clearly empty vehicle. I'll even leave the glove and center console open sometimes. Luckily, it's worked so far...

BajaMama - 9-24-2018 at 09:12 AM

I was staying at a hotel in Napa in 2013, 7 cars (including mine) had windows busted out. Why? Because we had stuff in view. I always kept my tennis bag in the back seat and didn't think anything about it. Not any more. Walk down the street in San Francisco, you will see broken windows. NEVER leave anything in view no matter where you are, smash and grab is too easy for thieves, and glass is no barrier, especially for a little hammer.

Hook - 9-24-2018 at 09:21 AM

The only people that got broken into were the people that were in his store. The security guard was out front the entire time.

Sounds like k-38 surf shop is not a shop but a crime racket.
If the victims don’t tell the world about ripoffs on yelp and google reviews, the criminal enterprise will continue.

Nice that this gets posted on Nomads and remains here, without the victims having to basically produce a police report or some other such "proof" like on Talk Baja. I expect this would be deep sixed over there, pronto, based on their previous "standards".

Many thanks to the original poster for alerting Nomads to the situation. I see others are now chiming in with similar stories.

NEVER assume that a businesses security guard is there for the protection of your possessions. Quite the contrary. I have read about and experienced situations where they were part of the whole racket. Basically, they were paid to be the "eyes" that warned the perps. Quite common in Puerto Penasco, with regards to vehicle thefts.

weebray - 9-24-2018 at 09:35 AM

.....when we informed the owner he laughed and said I can get you your passports back. After 20 minutes of arguing with him...

[Edited on 9-23-2018 by wyatthurley55]

I understand your frustration and anger and, having been in a similar situation feel for you. This kind of crime is random and unpredictable. It's no worse than it's always been, it just changes location. It's hard to be calm in those situations but arguing gets nothing. In future, the best course of action may be to take the logical path. In this case it would of been logical to try to negotiate the return of your passports. Years ago I had a number of guns stolen. I went right to the house I figured housed the perps. (young kids) I offered to buy them back. Next day I got my stuff back missing a very nice antique 22 pump. I asked about it. The kid said, "The boss liked it - it's not for sale!"

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by BajaNomad]

BajaTed - 9-24-2018 at 09:57 AM

Sanity check, The Libre road is the "hood".
Whenever I go to La Fonda or any of the other places on the Libre road with security guards, I always approach the security guy and ask him what color my truck is? He looks at me an says, blue.
I then get real close to him if I can and say NO, its not just blue, its Sinoloa Blue. (home of El Chapo)

Same way as when I worked in the L.A. region, you don't wear red or blue on the wrong side of Crenshaw Blvd, I drove my other truck.

wyatthurley55 - 9-24-2018 at 10:07 AM

Quote: Originally posted by weebray

.....when we informed the owner he laughed and said I can get you your passports back. After 20 minutes of arguing with him...

[Edited on 9-23-2018 by wyatthurley55]

Trust me when I say that the owner went zero to one hundred in the blink of an eye. As soon as I asked more questions he flipped out. There was no reasoning with him whatsoever.

A?ejo Coca - 9-24-2018 at 10:10 AM

Reflecting on this situation after weebray's post, I recalled the time when my neighbors house got broken into. After telling the property owner about it, he said that he knew who the perps were, and he said he could likely make arrangements to get the property back.

Our landlord wasn't an accomplice, but he knew who did it and wasn't interested in getting the authorities involved. It does seem shady, but it's just the way things work in Mexico sometimes.

ehall - 9-24-2018 at 12:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by weebray

.....when we informed the owner he laughed and said I can get you your passports back. After 20 minutes of arguing with him...

[Edited on 9-23-2018 by wyatthurley55]

And then you burned the house down?

ehall - 9-24-2018 at 12:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by SFandH

Quote: Originally posted by Barbless

Some device inserted under my Tundra driver door handle, popped the door open and didn't activate the alarm.

Wow! High tech thieves. Does anybody know more about these devices? Hate to think my elaborate truck alarm is ineffective.

[Edited on 9-24-2018 by SFandH]

The old tacomas it only took a ball point pen. the new ones must take a screwdriver. They make steel plates that go inside doors to prevent this.

Lee - 9-24-2018 at 02:13 PM

Quote: Originally posted by A?ejo Coca

..... when I go into a restaurant and make sure I have line of sight with my ride, or I'll find another place to eat with a parking attendant, or one of us stands watch.

Thanks for posting this. This is what I do too -- don't mind having a healthy paranoia about locals wanting my stuff. Thought I only did this.

Line of sight. Or close enough to hear my alarm.

If I'm surfing Old Man's and stop at Cabo Costco, I park close enough to the front and ask one of the guys hanging outside to watch my car and board and that I'll pay them.

Thought they have security driving around there but heard about a Todos resident who had his vehicle broken into and laptop stolen.

8knots - 9-24-2018 at 02:34 PM

This problem is rampant in San Francisco. My 4Runner passenger window was smashed in a public parking garage. My dog, surfboards and other stuff was in there but all they took was my backpack with my passport and computer in it. It is a widespread problem all over the city and police can't do anything because of how fast it happens.

willardguy - 9-24-2018 at 02:44 PM

yup no question this can happen anywhere.....the sad part is the response from the surfshop owner

motoged - 9-26-2018 at 12:04 PM

Quote: Originally posted by ehall

And then you burned the house down?

Gee, my thoughts exactly.... :light:

John Harper - 9-26-2018 at 03:53 PM

I just ran into a guy at the CVS in Encinitas this afternoon 9/26. He had a K-38 sweatshirt on and I mentioned I stayed at K55 sometimes and had he heard about any cars being broken into.

He said he owned the restaurant at K38 and it was all a bunch of BS. I think he said his name was Guiles (?) and had a gold/brown Suburban IIRC. He did say he saw what was posted online and it was not true. IDK, just throwing it out there.

Kind of strange happenstance I ran into him.

John

[Edited on 9-26-2018 by John Harper]

Hook - 9-26-2018 at 04:22 PM

Quote: Originally posted by John Harper

I just ran into a guy at the CVS in Encinitas this afternoon 9/26. He had a K-38 sweatshirt on and I mentioned I stayed at K55 sometimes and had he heard about any cars being broken into.

He said he owned the restaurant at K38 and it was all a bunch of BS. I think he said his name was Guiles (?) and had a gold/brown Suburban IIRC. He did say he saw what was posted online and it was not true. IDK, just throwing it out there.

I mentioned my roommate lives at Campo Lopez and maybe we'd see him sometime.

Kind of strange happenstance I ran into him.

John

[Edited on 9-26-2018 by John Harper]

Let's see, who would have a greater motive to be lying about all this? Two victims in this thread.............or a guy who owns a business right where it occurred?

willardguy - 9-26-2018 at 04:38 PM

that would be Gilles Knafo, owner of baja Calypso, next door to the surfshop. who knows? but I don't doubt he would say that! :coolup:

wyatthurley55 - 9-27-2018 at 08:07 AM

I posted this topic to inform people of what happened to me and what I observed. I’m an avid Baja traveler and would never post anything like this unless I was 100% sure of what happened. You guys can take my experience and learn from it or just disregard it and most likely end up like me. The whole situation sucks big time.

willardguy - 9-27-2018 at 12:41 PM

I posted this topic to inform people of what happened to me and what I observed. I’m an avid Baja traveler and would never post anything like this unless I was 100% sure of what happened. You guys can take my experience and learn from it or just disregard it and most likely end up like me. The whole situation sucks big time.

agreed.....but are you going to boycott Calypso, the Pig, the tienda, the pharmacy, the realtor, the taco stand, and the craft brewery because they share the same parking lot? the lesson here is (sadly) don't leave anything of value in your car, anywhere here.

JoeJustJoe - 9-27-2018 at 05:12 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Hook

JJJ denial post coming soon...............or he will blame the gringo surfers.

thank god he's still hell-bent on solving the LAbay murders

Sorry, I have been busy watching the fireworks, at the confirming hearings, and I had no ideas, you guys wanted me to comment in this thread. So I don''t want to let Hook down.

Well, I sure don't leave my passports in my car, but instead make a copy of it, and leave it in the hotel rooms safe. . However, I understand if you're traveling, you might leave your passport in a backpack or car.

The theft story sounds legitimate, because cars being broken into happen everywhere, but I don't understand why people report this on a Baja forum, when if you had a car break in at home back in the states, you probably wouldn't report it, because you would get a big yawn.

That said, there are a few things in the OP's story I do question?

In the first post the OP admits, he followed the owner of the business for 20 minutes, and in the second, it was only a brief encounter. So which is it, 20 minutes, of badgering the owner, or just a few questions?

Ist post: " "After 20 minutes of arguing with him he told me to f*** off and leave."

2nd post: "And when I asked him what he meant he walked off, when I followed him and asked him again he told me to F*** off and never come back."

The other question I have, is the OP said, only his group, and another group of American, had their car broken into, but at the end of the alleged story, he then claims 10 other car windows were broken?

So which is it? Two American cars broken into, or 10 cars broken into, and how come the guard wasn't questioned?
___________
From the OP's statements:

1st quote: >"another group of Americans were in the store at the same time and there vehicle got broken into."

1st quote: "the only people that got broken into were the people that were in his store. The security guard was out front the entire time."
_____

2nd quote: "After looking around I noticed at least 10 other windows that were laying on the ground."

woody with a view - 9-27-2018 at 05:22 PM

Lock this thread.

Chup - 9-27-2018 at 07:06 PM

Lock this thread.

Por Favor....Dios Mio !!

BornFisher - 9-27-2018 at 08:06 PM

Lock this thread.

Before this gets locked, I want to thank wyatthurley55 for the report. I`ve been known to park there, so now will do so with extra caution and heed the warning.

mtgoat666 - 9-27-2018 at 10:06 PM

How many surfers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

:?:

mtgoat666 - 9-27-2018 at 10:10 PM

[Edited on 9-28-2018 by mtgoat666]

bajatrailrider - 9-27-2018 at 10:37 PM

thank you for posting this don't listen to the baja blow hards. This is one place to stay away from and the guy that said do you want your passports back. This place is a target for all to get ripped off.

JoeJustJoe - 9-28-2018 at 06:25 AM

Sounds like k-38 surf shop is not a shop but a crime racket.
If the victims don’t tell the world about ripoffs on yelp and google reviews, the criminal enterprise will continue.

According to most of the reviews, this is a great place, and the prices are reasonable. The owner has positive reviews too.

mtgoat666 - 9-28-2018 at 06:31 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe

Sounds like k-38 surf shop is not a shop but a crime racket.
If the victims don’t tell the world about ripoffs on yelp and google reviews, the criminal enterprise will continue.

According to most of the reviews, this is a great place, and the prices are reasonable. The owner has positive reviews too.

I don’t trust online reviews. I mean, who writes reviews? Many are fake. The average review writer is just that, average. I think I have higher standards than the average reviewer. I certainly know that yelp reviewers sure got poor taste in food!

The stories presented here sound legitimate. Theft racket apparently has been going on in the parking lot. But these things come and go, perhaps the racket has moved on to the next soft target, eh?

wyatthurley55 - 9-28-2018 at 09:11 AM

Quote: Originally posted by JoeJustJoe