Gunpoint robbery on TJ road

leucadian · Sep-01-2007, 05:42 PM

I'm not sure which forum to put this in for the most people to see it is, but I just wanted to pass along this info.

Friday morning at about 4:30, my good friend in his Tundra and another 2 guys in a separate truck were heading together down through Tijuana on a 5-day Baja camping/surf trip. Only a few minutes across the border, they went up that really steep hill, the one when you get to the top and start going down, there is a steep ravine on the right. The front car was pulled over by a car with a flashing light on the dash, and my buddy pulled over behind them. He saw a guy get out of the unmarked "cop" car with a gun drawn and run up to the front truck. Then suddenly two other guys were in my friend's front seat, pointing guns to his head.

To get to the point, these three guys spent about 10 minutes kneeling in front of the guard rail with guns pressed to the backs of their heads, and were sure they were going to die. My friend at one point looked over at his other friend and saw one of the robbers push him down the hill toward some bushes, then pull a ski mask over his face, like he was about to kill him. Finally, there were shots into the air, and the robbers took off in all 3 cars, leaving these guys their lives, but taking absolutely everything, inlcuding 2 new trucks, many surfboards and kite surfing setups, tons of new camping gear, and of course all their personal information in the car, such as addresses, car registration, etc.

It's not over, though, for them. They got a ride for a bit back in the direction of town, when they saw a real cop car who had someone pulled over. They stopped there, and the cops asked them some questions about the robbery, but would not take a report or anything. Instead, the cops drove them to an ATM in the Revolucion area, because one guy still had his wallet with an ATM card, and then the cops just drove away. Somehow they told the story to a security guard at the ATM, who called a cab for them and told them they should get back across the border immediately. He told the cab driver not to stop for any reason on the way to the border.

Sure enough, on the way back, two cars, and pickup and a VW Touraeg, pulled in front and back of the taxi and jammed on their brakes to try to stop thecab, but the taxi driver accelerated away from them, and got in the taxi-only line for the border and got them there safely. They reported what happened on the US side, and rode the trolley and the Coaster back to Solana Beach.

He can only speculate why someone tried to stop them from crossing. Did they want to get the ATM card/wallet from the one guy who had it? Did they want to kidnap these guys so they didn't report the robbery? Who knows.

All I know is that there are a group of us surfers and fisherman I know who will never drive into Mexico again, not simply because of the robbery, but the response of the police, and the fact that they were followed again.

My buddy had Mex insurance, but doesn't know what it will cover. He lost at least 30K of stuff, but does not care at all. He's just glad to be home with his wife and kids.

BDers, this is a real story that happened only yesterday. A few of you know me, and know that I would not spread BS whatsover. Be careful.

The Notorious S.U.A · Sep-01-2007, 05:46 PM

what a wonderfull place.

jimgilmour · Sep-01-2007, 05:52 PM

I spend three to four months a year down there and im always glade to get home

JiGGZ · Sep-01-2007, 05:57 PM

That sqeaky clean government deserves ALL of the support our Government gives them constantly. They are such a great asset to the region.

Funny thing is THEY were prob. Cops

.

We know your story is
true man..they are NOT the first and will NOT be the last.

ryanm · Sep-01-2007, 06:01 PM

No doubt Mexico can be fucked up, and I don't mean to lessen the gravity of what happened. I ,for sure, would be anxious about going there on my own. I am just curious, does it seem like things like this are more prevalent in Mexico than here?

Duramax · Sep-01-2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ryanm

No doubt Mexico can be fucked up, and I don't mean to lessen the gravity of what happened. I ,for sure, would be anxious about going there on my own. I am just curious, does it seem like things like this are more prevalent in Mexico than here?

No not at all, just take your new truck, load it with lots of new stuff and your family and go down there at night so that the traffic is nice and lite.

After you loose all that is valuable to you, do the same thing in SD or LA and see where it's more likely to happen to you.

ryanm · Sep-01-2007, 06:11 PM

yeah, I don't think I will be conducting that experiment anytime soon.

umoa · Sep-01-2007, 06:30 PM

That is some fucked up shit. Kind of sounds like the guys were dirty cops?

Sep-01-2007, 07:06 PM

Another reason why I avoid that country at all costs. So glad your buddies made it back safely.

FrankO · Sep-01-2007, 07:56 PM

Bummer. We travel thru there often but I don't leave anymore until the sun is very close to coming up. I used to love driving at night to avoid the traffic but safety is more important to me.

**nunyabizness1** · Sep-01-2007, 08:09 PM

Sorry to hear what happened to your friend and glad they made it home safely. I'm never comfortable crossing the border and am always happy to be home again. The margaritas are much better at home when you don't have to worry!

Jaydog · Sep-01-2007, 08:24 PM

Oh shit Cousin, I'm so sorry man. What a fucking nightmare!!! Thank God your buddies are still alive.