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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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Crime in Baja is a low risk venture for a criminal. Law and order itself is questionable in quality and outside of metropolitan areas, basically
nonexistant and it's the old wild west with the new and heavily armed criminal. For the predator, it's catching fish in a barrel. The numbers of
bad people increase at a high speed knowing the chances of being caught are slim and the victim is defensless.
Until the traveling U.S. public pulls themselves out of their state of denial and forms a coalition to boycot the peninsula, nothing will change.
Nobody will hear a single voice or pay attention to it if they do. Our memories are too short and we tend to value the good time over the reason for
our outrage at events such as this hijacking and thirty days from now, few will be talking of it. It will be business as usual.
It's as much our fault as anybody's for allowing it to go on without a strong, decisive reaction but, it seems to be the American way...Don't let
atrocious crime interfere with a good day at the beach.
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sd
Nomad
Posts: 487
Registered: 3-19-2008
Member Is Offline
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Travel Alert posted 4/14/08
Violence along the U.S. - Mexico Border. U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consumer Affairs has a warning posted.
The drug wars we are all aware of.
'Armed robberies and carjackings, apparently unconnected to the narcotics-related violence, have increased in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez. Dozens of
U.S. citizens were kidnapped and/or murdered in Tijuana in 2007".
"Criminals have followed and harassed U.S. citizens traveling in their vehicles, particularly in border areas including Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros and
Tijuana".
This is just a small portion of the warning. Just a reminder to be alert.
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The Sculpin
Nomad
Posts: 401
Registered: 9-3-2002
Location: Back in the Saddle
Member Is Offline
Mood: Riding into the Sunset, looking for a sunrise.
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SIGH..........
Dennis, please leave us be in our state of denial. My dog, my machete, my wits. That's all I need to keep this state of denial going.
If you think Baja is bad, you should try the Mentawis or the Seychelles! Let's see...drug runners? pirates? drug runners? pirates? Aw heck, the surf
is better where the pirates are!
See ya!
Whoa there, Cowboy - pull back on those reins!
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Crusoe
Senior Nomad
Posts: 731
Registered: 10-14-2006
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All of this incident is a little confusing......Does it just happen that as soon as a plane prepares to take off, six armed men in masks appear out of
nowhere at just the right time and place?? Could there be more to this than we now know? It would really only take two bandits. Why so many?? Were
they escaping from something else?? Were they moving drugs or money?? Also... How much fuel was onboard the plane?? Sooner or later they would have to
refuel. Could not other airports be notified of the stolen plane??What was its range?? Was it tracked by any radar or military observation?? Or was it
the military?? Many unansewerd questions. Thank god no one was harmed. ++C++
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by The Sculpin
Aw heck, the surf is better where the pirates are!
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OK...I forgot that part.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Crusoe
It would really only take two bandits. Why so many?? |
Who would know? I'm sure there are lots of wanted people who would like to cross the border without going through the gate or military check points.
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Beachgirl
Here's a happy thought in the middle of the obviously terrifying news....the six bad guys aren't here anymore. Yeah, I know all the other stuff...and
I know they are causing trouble somewhere else, and yes, I hope someone shoots them (can I say that?), but still...they aren't here. Selfishly it is
just nice to think of them NOT being in Mulege. I am not trying to make light of this situation, but I think I would be willing to pay bad guys to
leave town...somewhat like the old time sheriffs would escort them to the edge of town with a "Don't come back" comment...of course I don't mean
provide them with airplanes...maybe a hundred bucks and a bus ticket! Just wondering....how about some positive news, like how many planes come and go
with no problems at all? Where are Arnold, Chuck and Sylvester when you need them? |
yeah, THOSE bad guys arent in Mulege anymore. But without any closure to the story involving their capture, they (and other hombres) may have hit upon
a means of re-enacting this again.
I'm guessing these weren't the only bad hombres involved with the cartels on the peninsula.........or even in Mulege.
Don't worry, be happy never worked for me............diligence is more effective.
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CasaManzana
Nomad
Posts: 398
Registered: 7-4-2004
Location: Was Mulege:Posada Beach/now Zihuatanejo
Member Is Offline
Mood: Naykid
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We don't need no stinkin' gas station mon...
Fuel can be set up anywhere to be had...why would they fly into the limelight for fuel when it's set up somewhere else! What I want to know-
>do you have to file a flight plan...who knows what you plan to do?
>did Loreto know they were on their way for fuel that morning?
>is the hotel departure guest public knowledge?
>for 100 pesos, can you get a desk clerk to tell you the guests schedule for departure?
Did these guys sit on the hill for days waiting to see that they were leaving and jump into action in 20 minutes when they saw it was time to act?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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LA TIMES TODAY
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-plane16a...
Americans' plane stolen in Mexico
From the Associated Press
April 16, 2008
LOS CABOS, MEXICO -- Gunmen robbed a family of U.S. tourists of its small plane Tuesday in Mexico, police said.
The robbers struck as the American couple and their two daughters, ages 6 and 8, were about to take off from a hotel airstrip in the Baja California
beach town of Mulege.
Detective Juan Carlos de Jesus Jimenez said the thieves pulled a car in front of the six-seat Cessna Stationair, knocked out one of the craft's
windows and forced the family out at gunpoint. They then set fire to the car and flew off in the plane.
U.S. officials said they had heard reports of the incident but had not yet been in contact with the victims.
The plane's identification number matched a craft registered to a firm in Boise, Idaho.
Small aircraft are commonly used by Mexican drug cartels to smuggle narcotics.
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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
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Just wondering how the family is doing. Does anyone know? Are they back home? It really hit home when I learned kids were aboard. Gives me
reservations about bringing my 5 year old. But it's hard to imagine not going to Mulege.
Also, I'm curious about why the military isn't there anymore and if there was a particular reason they were there to begin with.
Bajaboolie
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Pescador
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3587
Registered: 10-17-2002
Location: Baja California Sur
Member Is Offline
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I agree with Cap, this incident would not change much of what I do but I would certainly be a little more diligent and watchful. A lot of us come to
Mexico to get away from all the rules, regulations, and structure of the US, but as soon as something happens we pretty much expect the solutions to
come from government or someone else. I think the philosophy of watching out for yourself is a little more productive and more likely to produce
results. I read about the car highjackings and I was very diligent and watchful of any vehicles that looked suspicious and made sure that I had some
kind of escape route planned in the event of a problem. But the idea that my airplane only gets to spend time in the hangar at the military base sort
of defeats the purpose of having one in the first place.
This was a very unfortunate experience that occured for the family and for the reputation of the Johnsons at Serinidad and I hope that both can get
back to normal soon.
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greybaby
Nomad
Posts: 182
Registered: 10-8-2004
Location: Idaho - formerly Cantu
Member Is Offline
Mood: Missing Baja
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This has just hit the headlines of our local news here in Boise, Idaho - where this family is from. Here's the story posted on the website of a TV
station here.
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-apr1608-mex...
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ssreef
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 4-8-2008
Member Is Offline
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plane stolen
OK, this is bad, as well as all the other movie style violence going on especially in the north, i.e. Tijuana.
Here is the reason, or so I believe after hearing it from locals in La Paz, Guerrero Negro, Loreto, etc..........is as follows.
Remember a few years back when the FBI, DEA, IRS, PGR, and every other US/MEX agencies spent five years tracking Arellano, and finally got him in
intl. water off La PAz. Well there you have it, it is an open market now, no control. I am not supporting drug dealers nor drugs, however someone is
going to do it. Mr Arrelano was not a saint, but it seems he did keep the general public out of the business, especially touristas. I believe his
arrest is responsible for the violence that soon erupted in Vallarta and Acapulco as well. Sometime soon some other organized thug will control the
market, hopefully entirely and not having conflict with another gang. The locals were not happy with his arrest either, they saw this coming right
after he was locked up. He infused lots of cash into local economies up and down the penisula. Mostly in positive economic ways, however I am sure
he had some hits taken care of where he felt needed. Drug smuggling is not a pretty industry, but it seems the old cartel leaders kept it from the
tourism because they realize that the majority of their countrymen's income relies on our spending. It is very sad news how brazen they have gotten
in Baja, I felt as if we were always different than the mainland. The influx of military may help with the petty stuff, but I can almost guarantee
you they are just as connected as some policia. Let's hope for the best, and please do not let these isolated incidents stop you from enjoying La
Baja.
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Bill Collector
Nomad
Posts: 374
Registered: 1-13-2004
Location: Buena Vista, BCS
Member Is Offline
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This is to let everyone know that the family is doing OK. They just happen to be here renting our place in Buena Vista. They arrived late yesterday in
the afternoon very tired, still very upset. They didn't want to talk about what happend, Lynn just said they were highjacked. Then I told her I had
been reading it on the Nomads site. I asked her if they were the ones in the Mulege area. She told me the story it makes your heart so sad to see
this great family so upset. The little girls still have tummy aches when they hear anything mentioned.
They seem like a nice family we just meet them last night........They have nothing, all their luggage was left on the plane. Passports, money, her
purse. She manged to get one suitcase out since they had to remove it for them to get out the back seat. they will finish their vacation here then
fly back...not sure what they will use for ID since they have nothing. I do know they have been in touch with the American & Mexican Consulate.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by ssreef
I believe his arrest is responsible for the violence that soon erupted in Vallarta and Acapulco as well. |
I'll save the space of quoting your entire statement but, doesn't this have a striking resemblence to the US position in Iraq? If George W.
Blockhead could turn back time, I'll bet he would have left Saddam in power and tried to keep him under control instead of fighting a nation of
lunatics who can't be controled.
I don't know...it's just a thought.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64859
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Thank you 'Bill Collector'... The story was printed and broadcast everywhere and we are so glad no physical harm came to them!
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capt. mike
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8085
Registered: 11-26-2002
Location: Bat Cave
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sling time!
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the military when placed at the el gallito strip were a total nuisance and pain in the arse. Kids with automatics.
they couldn't have done anything on this one.
i hope they are not returned. we don't need them there - bunch of nimrods, i had to deal with them for far too many years. all they did was log the
same data the front desk did on T-Os and LNDGS. and ocasionally a new jefe Jr. would "inspect" you to prove he was a big swinging $^&*.
the plane likely has been found in sinaloa according to a report re the N #s .
formerly Ordained in Rev. Ewing\'s Church by Mail - busted on tax fraud.......
Now joined L. Ron Hoover\'s church of Appliantology
\"Remember there is a big difference between kneeling down and bending over....\"
www.facebook.com/michael.l.goering |
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bajaboolie
Nomad
Posts: 277
Registered: 9-24-2007
Location: Aptos, CA/Mulege
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bill Collector
This is to let everyone know that the family is doing OK. They just happen to be here renting our place in Buena Vista. They arrived late yesterday in
the afternoon very tired, still very upset. They didn't want to talk about what happend, Lynn just said they were highjacked. Then I told her I had
been reading it on the Nomads site. I asked her if they were the ones in the Mulege area. She told me the story it makes your heart so sad to see
this great family so upset. The little girls still have tummy aches when they hear anything mentioned.
They seem like a nice family we just meet them last night........They have nothing, all their luggage was left on the plane. Passports, money, her
purse. She manged to get one suitcase out since they had to remove it for them to get out the back seat. they will finish their vacation here then
fly back...not sure what they will use for ID since they have nothing. I do know they have been in touch with the American & Mexican Consulate.
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Thanks, Bill Collector. I can imagine they will be upset for some time to come, too. Let them know that we Nomads are pulling for them. Hope they
can get home without too much hassle.
Bajaboolie
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Beachgirl
Nomad
Posts: 206
Registered: 1-1-2008
Member Is Offline
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We just went to town for breakfast and it's crawling with federales; 5 or 6 posted on every corner armed to the teeth. The city hall is plugged with
soldiers, city and state police, politicians, and the like.It looks like someone VERY important is here. There's nothing they can do after the fact
but at least it got someone's attention. We sure don't want it to happen again;makes it a little hard to sleep at night.
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mulegemichael
Super Nomad
Posts: 2310
Registered: 12-24-2007
Location: sequim,wa. and mulege
Member Is Offline
Mood: up on step
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I just got the word from VERY reliable sources that the army will now be stationed at the airstrip 24/7. Big time generals,admirals,governor reps and
the like, all met today with local officials here and the result is a permanent army encampment at the airstrip...sorry cap'n mike...but i am not
against a military presence here if it can be ANY deterrent to what occurred a couple of days ago. My two cents
dyslexia is never having to say you\'re yrros.
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