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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Ignorance Alert!
BBP?
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tehag
Super Nomad
Posts: 1248
Registered: 1-8-2005
Member Is Offline
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Jacking
Lynn's posts are solid as far as I know.
BBP - Baja Bush Pilots, I think.
Rentals have a rose, air-brushed stripe across the bottom of the license plate. Not hard to spot. Also, most have some form of advertising, bumper
sticker, or decal.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Not questioning Lynn's integrity. Just wondering about the source.
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Stickers
Senior Nomad
Posts: 571
Registered: 4-12-2006
Location: SoCal
Member Is Offline
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Baja Bush Pilot
One of the members posted on our message board (Feb 11) that he met the couple from New Mexico that were the victims of the car jacking and robbery.
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Sheesh! Still no details.
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flyfishinPam
Super Nomad
Posts: 1727
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Loreto, BCS
Member Is Offline
Mood: gone fishin'
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Some details of this event.
I am very concerned about this event and wish to share the details that I know. First of all I want to mention that I work in the tourism industry in
Loreto. So I am a stakeholder in the outcome of our future in Loreto. There will be many people who will disagree with what I am about to post but
my philosophy includes the fact that the safety of our tourists and citizens must come first.
I did not speak with the persons who were victims of this event. The first instance that I heard about this incident was on Monday evening while
reading my handheld after a very long day conducting a whale watching tour in Lopez Mateos. I worked all day saturday and cleaned my house and cooked
all day on sunday only leaving to shop briefly at the tianguis. So on seeing the original post, twice no less, I phoned a person who I knew would
know some details. The details that I received were mostly incorrect but a friend of mine whose name was mentioned did some translated for the couple
at the judicial. On tuesday I spoke with that person as I had already set up a lunch date with them anyway.
My friends who spent a lot of time with the couple who were carjacked own a shop in the center of town. When the couple walked in to browse, they
struck up a conversation with them along the lines of "how long have you been in Loreto, has your trip been enjoyable and where are you from?" This
is when they were told that the couple had been carjacked the previous day. So what I am about to describe, comes from my personal friends and not
the couple themselves:
The couple who is from New Mexico flew into the airport at San Jose del Cabo for their honeymoon trip and rented a vehicle. I do not know the
make/model or rental agency of this vehicle. They had spent time camping at Conception Bay so of course had all the camping gear inside the car that
was used for this trip.
They were on their way South on the highway with the destination being the los Cabos area because that's where their departing flight was to leave.
As they passed through the Loreto area it was just before noon on Friday February 6, 2009. I do not know if they stopped in Loreto, used the bank or
fueled up but when they passed the entrance to Nopolo/Loreto Bay, (I am not sure which of the two entrances) an old car came out and was driving
behind them. The husband (driver) in the rental car then noticed that the car was swerving and then starting to follow them closely. He did mention
to my friend that he said to his new wife, "that car looks like its on its last leg and probably won't last very long". At this time the old car sped
up and passed them then continued Southbound until they could no longer see it.
After passing the Puerto Escondido turn off the road is pretty flat and straight until right before you reach the little village of Ligui then there
are curves. After Ligui the road continues to curve then you go through an arroyo then you climb up through the mountain pass at Ligui. After they
passed Ligui, and before the ascent through the pass, they saw the old car parked perpindicular to the road blocking their passage, and with the two
men in masks with at least one of them pointing a gun at the couple who were approaching in their vehicle.
My details are unclear at this point but somehow the woman got out of the car and cut her leg. The husband stayed in the car and thought about
driving backwards but likely decided that since his wife was already outside of the vehicle it would be best to also get out. He had a wallet on him.
The assailants then approached the rental and one got in and drove off. The old car also drove off with both headed south.
A couple of asides-
there is no cellphone reception in that area. The cell signal pretty much stops just south of the rise south of the golf course at Nopolo. Two way
radios could be used for communication as we communicate this way when conducting our bus tours to Lopez Mateos. Also from that point it is over one
hour to the next town, Villa Insurgentes.
The couple were left to travel on foot. All of the belongings in the vehicle were taken...luggage, camping gear, cameras with honeymoon memory photos
(bummer), passports, etc. They were soon picked up by students that were traveling North from La Paz.
The students knew that the federales have a permanent office right alongside the highway and inside Nopolo and they weren't very far. So they took
the couple there. At this point the woman was bleeding pretty badly on her leg.
At the office of the federales they received no help at all. They were told to go to Loreto and speak with seguridad publica (the municipal
police). So they went to Loreto. Aside from me- this disturbs me deeply because at this point in time a roadblock could have easily be put in
place and the assailants caught before they arrived in Villa Insurgentes.
On arriving at the seguridad publica in Loreto they were told that they had to go to the ministerio publico and file the complaint. The muni police
were at least nice to them albeit powerless to do anything about it. They then went to the ministerio publico and filed their complaint. The
students helped them through that and until they checked into a downtown hotel. The following day the couple walked around town and that's when they
went into my friends shop.
After explaining what had happened to them, my friends called the local US consular representative to come and help them with their paperwork so that
they could leave Mexico for the USA on their flight. I was also told that later on, the rental vehicle was found, emptied of the contents, in Cuidad
Constitucion.
All in all it wasn't a very welcoming experience for tourists to have in Loreto. The attitude by the consular agent and many people in tourism here
was and maybe still is to keep it under out hat. Well my arguments against this position are as follows:
This story was already on the internet as on Monday evening only three days after the event had happened, so this is no longer under anyone's hat at
this point. Also rumors generally change over time and the subsequent stories usually worsten so as to hold interest and gain attention. People fear
most that which they do not know. The details have been asked for here and a full understanding of these details will enable people to make very
important decisions which will affect their lives. This event will change the way my family travels as well. IF we rent a vehicle as we usually do,
my dark Mexican husband will be the driver and MAYBE when we are getting passed and perhaps scoped out as a possible easy target, my man may be a
deterrent for them. I ALONE even with my kids or gringo friends will no longer rent a vehicle and travel alone. Perhaps we must think seriously
about caravans. And we as a community must be honest with the public and ourselves and SERIOUSLY address this. Keeping vital information from people
is not seriously addressing this.
Another aside- There have been many layoffs in the construction industry here. Generally when a crime happens the locals blame "the outsiders" but
after having been here for over ten years, don't believe it! This is simply not always the case.
Perhaps Mike who is a member of BBP can copy and paste the story that was posted there so we can compare these and hopefully find any pieces of
information that mine is missing.
I have been conducting tours over the past few days but watched this thread develop and felt that it was time for some clarity. I am very sorry that
this happened but I would be a fool to think it can't happen again. I find onf of the above posts regarding rental vehicles in Colorado, USA quite
interesting and perhaps we can learn from the experiences there on how to deal with this.
I love this place and seriously appreciate its natural beauty and history. There are many good people here. Peace.
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bajamigo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1218
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
Member Is Offline
Mood: hubimos llegado
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So if the Federales couldn't or wouldn't help this couple, who were victimized on a federal highway, what the heck do they do in their "permanent"
Nopolo office? Had they gotten off their a**es and done even the minimum, this story might have had a very different outcome.
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2396
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
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i agree,, thats really bull chit
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Thank you, Pam. I would have preferred this to have been one of those unfounded rumors. That being said, it is vital that we folks who spend
considerable time traveling Baja are kept well informed. An important point that Pam made was that the economic downturn is also a reality in Mexico.
When people don't have jobs, some get desperate. At this point, it would appear to be a random act of violence. And some solace should be taken in the
fact, notwithstanding the woman apparently hurting herself, that these crooks did not physically harm the victims. But someone really ought to
investigate those Federales.
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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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info on BBP is only a sentence or 2 that says this happened - no details.
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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BeachBusker
Newbie
Posts: 3
Registered: 2-13-2009
Location: Cabo Pulmo
Member Is Offline
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Thank you Pam. For my first post I would like to say Baja Nomad is my #1 news source for all of the penninsula. Your eyes-open factual accounts are a
welcome relief from the rumor mills and agenda pushers. I'm happy arrangements were made to assist the couple in returning home.
I tried to register during Hurricane John. But, my account disappeared into cyberspace. I was able to stop and see some friends in Mulege during the
aftermath. They were all doing well, recovering & cleaning up. It gave me a taste of the work I would be doing for the next 6 weeks in my
area.
My experience with the Federales has been pretty good. I know their radios won't penetrate the mountains. But you'd think a simple phone call down the
road could have apprehended these crooks. I'd surely like to hear their explainaton.
OT, I hear great things about Loreto kayak tours. Is that what you do Pam?
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BigWooo
Senior Nomad
Posts: 579
Registered: 1-2-2007
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by flyfishinPam
A couple of asides-
there is no cellphone reception in that area. The cell signal pretty much stops just south of the rise south of the golf course at Nopolo. Two way
radios could be used for communication as we communicate this way when conducting our bus tours to Lopez Mateos. Also from that point it is over one
hour to the next town, Villa Insurgentes.
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You mention two way radios. I know nothing about them. Is there a common monitored radio/frequency throughout BCS a person could access with a radio
in their car? Getting the word out early about a similar situation in the future may help with the recovery, or at least let someone know you're in
trouble, although it would do nothing to remedy the immediate situation.
[Edited on 2-14-2009 by BigWooo]
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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Pam is totallly right...we can't just poo poo these issues anymore...it can happen to anybody and as the economy goes for a dump...the desperate use
desperate measures so one has to alter one's travel behaviors. It aint like it used to be ....however these types of things have always happened
before too but are going to increase for sure. We carry cel phones and 2 meter radios as well for safety and made plans for "what if" scenarios...like
what happened to these poor unsuspecting people.
Of course rental cars and wealthy travellers are more of a target but it can happen to anyone...mexican too...we got chased once by a pick up...scared
the sweet bejesus out of me...but they gave up the chase when we turned onto the dirt road to Asuncion...guess they didnt like washboard!
Juan wont let me drive alone anymore either...he says if someone is blocking the road, dont stop...go off the road or around or whatever if you
can...try not to stop...do a quick U turn...whatever....we now only stop to help people we know or quickly assess the situation...if it's an obvious
problem they have or women and kids etc...no more stopping for guys in pick ups...uh uh.
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BajaDove
Nomad
Posts: 194
Registered: 11-23-2008
Location: La Paz
Member Is Offline
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My first thought was the federales could contact a check point and have the cars detained, but then if there were guns in the car they weren't going
through a check point.
I'm afraid I agree we who love Baja always blame the other side but this seems to have been done by those who knew the area well.
If its not where it is, its where it isn\'t.
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pangamadness
Nomad
Posts: 378
Registered: 9-22-2003
Member Is Offline
Mood: Under H20
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Thanks for the info
Getting tough to find people who will go south with me anymore. Wifes have been out for a while but now they dont want the husbands to go. Did
something else happen a while ago that involved someone from constatution? Maybe the murder at Playa Requason where the jeep was taken?
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JaraHurd
Nomad
Posts: 203
Registered: 3-21-2007
Location: Los Angeles County
Member Is Offline
Mood: probably annoyed
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Shari and Pam I want to commend the both of you. You both risk losing business with your honest disclosures. In actuality it has made me want to go
fishing again in Loreto and to finally meet you Shari....more than ever. Why? Because I know that when i ask you two an honest question I will get an
honest answer. Regardless of the imipact it will have on your business. You have absolute credibility to me and I hope to see you both very soon in
the near future!! !! I hope to be making a southbound trip to Bahia A soon!! !
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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It occurs to me that where this happened is fairly well-traveled, and nowhere near as remote as some sections of Highway 1.
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shari
Select Nomad
Posts: 13048
Registered: 3-10-2006
Location: bahia asuncion, baja sur
Member Is Offline
Mood: there is no reality except the one contained within us "Herman Hesse"
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the one thing remote villages have going for them, is there is very little crime because they usually get caught..everyone is related and watches out
for each other and there is only onne or two roads out...we also have such good vigilancia here...security patrols 24/7. But these new attacks are so
bold and the police response sooooo lame which is a shame.
thanks for your kind words Jara....rest assured that the local mexican people are just as horrified and nervous as the tourists are.
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
Member Is Offline
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I have two new TV pilots in the early stages of development that I hope Nomads will watch. Hopefully to debut next season.
"CSI: Loreto"
"Law and Order: Who's Paying For My Tacos?"
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Bajahowodd
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9274
Registered: 12-15-2008
Location: Disneyland Adjacent and anywhere in Baja
Member Is Offline
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Not that early. Weren't you filming South of Loreto last week?
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