Daughter almost called FoxNews today!

[SassyLady]

Whew ..... what a day!!! So, after talking with the local law enforcement, the FBI (several times) and the US Consulate in Mexico (several times) my daughter was on the verge of calling FoxNews to get word out and make this very public.

Last night a family friend, Paco, his wife and three children (twins age 7, and youngest age 3) were on their way to visit family in Mexico. My son-in-law got a call around midnight saying they had been kidnapped and needed money (they were in the Culiacan area). My SIL didn't have his phone on so didn't get the message. Paco then called my SIL's brother and got through and said that they were pulled over, forced at gunpoint to get out of their car and he was marched out into the desert and said they wanted money, they were going to kill him .......and then the call was lost. All calls from that point went to his voicemail.

That's when all hell busted loose .... everyone got up and starting making phone calls.....to his family, to his wife's family, to the police in the towns along the way because they just had an approximate location where they might be based upon their last checkin.......and it wasn't until 10:00 this morning before we heard from anyone again. Everyone was alive and on a bus headed back to the US.

This man has been like a brother to my daughter for the last fifteen years. She is the godmother to the twins and she was so freaked out today not knowing what happened to them. She spent most of the morning getting every agency she knows to do something to find this family and get them home safe. She said that if they hadn't heard something within a 12 hour window she was going to start calling the news agencies, starting with Fox.

After almost 24 hours of ordeal, the family all are safe at home now. I'm not sure how they got from the desert into town after the robbers drove off....I will get the entire story tomorrow. My SIL had to make a 10 hour round trip part way into Mexico to get them and bring them home. Somehow they were put on a bus that got them to Obregon and then one of SIL's friends picked them up and took them to Hermosillo and that's were SIL picked them up.


Imagine being pulled over, threatened with death in front of your wife and children, then robbed and left in the desert in the middle of the night. This was just outside of Culiacan....everyone thinks the robbers and police are in cahoots because when Paco talked to the police there they basically told him .... "everyone knows you don't drive through here after dark".

My daughter said the FBI told her that they couldn't do anything until a file had been opened on them so she asked them to open a file. The Consulate now has a file open also....we'll have to wait and see what, if anything, is done.

[darin]

Holy crap....

[namvet]

that is a war zone now. glad it worked out

[Binky]

Wow, I can't even imagine what that would be like.

[namvet]

Osamaboma claims he's going to sue AZ over this immigration bill. maybe he should hop in his limo and take drive down thru there. with white flags flyin'.

[Binky]

Osamaboma claims he's going to sue AZ over this immigration bill. maybe he should hop in his limo and take drive down thru there. with white flags flyin'.


Now there's a thought.....

[namvet]

Now there's a thought.....

there's a very large area on the AZ side of the border they're trying to shut down. its full a gun toting killers. they're trying to keep everyone out. where doe's this end??? in Jul maybe when the bill goes into effect. but for now Osama has surrendered US terrority to these killers.

[DragonStryk72]

there's a very large area on the AZ side of the border they're trying to shut down. its full a gun toting killers. they're trying to keep everyone out. where doe's this end??? in Jul maybe when the bill goes into effect. but for now Osama has surrendered US terrority to these killers.

Death of the Obama presidency will be the moment that AZ takes the action required to get them out.

[avatar4321]

that is a war zone now. glad it worked out

It is a war zone. But that's not the only place like that. My friend lives in a neighborhood in Philly that is turning into a war zone. Cops have told him and his family to get firearm permits and start carrying. It's insane.

[namvet]

I suspect this country is now arming itself to the teeth

[SassyLady]

UPDATE:

The family is scared to stay in their own house because the robbers said they now know where they live and have people in Tucson that will come and kill them if they do anything.

OK....here's what we know as of now.

The family was traveling south and they go through various toll booths and checkpoints. After going through one and just a few miles away from their hotel they were pulled over by a car with lights like a police car. A man in a uniform got out and approached with a machine gun and said that Paco was speeding.....which we know is a lie because we can't get him to even drive the speed limit ... he reminds me of Cheech/Chong ....anyway, the cop??? made him move over and got in the driver's seat and drove them off the road into the desert with two other guys with machines guns in the car following them.

When they got to the desert they marched him out there and demanded money...they wanted $8000. He said they could have what he and his wife had on them....but that they didn't have "money". They put him back in the car and then drove him to a local motel, parked the car in the garage and took the whole family inside. They put the wife and kids in one room and then took him into another room....both had armed guards.

Then there was a whole group of people who unloaded the car and brought everything inside and they took everything apart. They made him remove all his clothes and searched him thoroughly.

He said the robbers were all arguing with each other about what they were going to do now...because they had no money. They told him that it cost them $6500 to set up this sting and now they were out that money and they had to get it back somehow. Paco said the group were arguing amongst themselves about what to do and he was very nervous that they were going to kill him .... he's standing there naked while they are arguing.

They finally bring the family together and Paco's wife said .... take our car, take everything .... sell it.....they had packed for her to stay with her family for the entire summer so they had a lot of stuff.

So the robbers then call a taxi to come to the hotel and get the family and take them to the bus stop .... gives them $100 and tells them to go home. They go to the bus stop and buy a ticket to get them as far north as possible...

On the bus heading north they go through a "checkpoint" with cops and Paco tries to tell them what happened and they just "yeah, yeah, we don't believe you, get back on bus".

Sooooooooooooooo........the long and short of the story is that Paco believes everyone is in on it .... the guys at the toll booth saw him come through, called ahead and set the whole thing up thinking they had money because their car was new and had Arizona plates. He thinks the cops, the hotel, the taxi company .... everyone down there is part of the "sting".

So they are home and have nothing....but the clothes on their back. They spent the night at my daughter's because they are terrified to go home. My daughter and her family took them shopping for essentials today and my SIL's family has a place for them to stay for the next few days. They will be moving this week.......but their terror is still 10,000%.....and they are so afraid to tell the police...even the police in AZ (because they are afraid they will investigate and then assassins will be sent).

My daughter is getting as many details as she can .... she has lots of friends on the police force in Tucson and she is so pissed that I doubt this is over by a long shot. I asked her if she plans to still contact any of the news agencies.....she wants to make sure the family is tucked away before she does anything like that.

I told her she needs to find a good investigative reporter and then them run with it.

Anyway....we used to go to Mexico every year for a week's vacation....We didn't go last year .... and I doubt we will for a very long time. My daughter and her inlaws go down there allllllllll the time and I used to be scared, now I am terrified.

[namvet]

UPDATE:

The family is scared to stay in their own house because the robbers said they now know where they live and have people in Tucson that will come and kill them if they do anything.

OK....here's what we know as of now.

The family was traveling south and they go through various toll booths and checkpoints. After going through one and just a few miles away from their hotel they were pulled over by a car with lights like a police car. A man in a uniform got out and approached with a machine gun and said that Paco was speeding.....which we know is a lie because we can't get him to even drive the speed limit ... he reminds me of Cheech/Chong ....anyway, the cop??? made him move over and got in the driver's seat and drove them off the road into the desert with two other guys with machines guns in the car following them.

When they got to the desert they marched him out there and demanded money...they wanted $8000. He said they could have what he and his wife had on them....but that they didn't have "money". They put him back in the car and then drove him to a local motel, parked the car in the garage and took the whole family inside. They put the wife and kids in one room and then took him into another room....both had armed guards.

Then there was a whole group of people who unloaded the car and brought everything inside and they took everything apart. They made him remove all his clothes and searched him thoroughly.

He said the robbers were all arguing with each other about what they were going to do now...because they had no money. They told him that it cost them $6500 to set up this sting and now they were out that money and they had to get it back somehow. Paco said the group were arguing amongst themselves about what to do and he was very nervous that they were going to kill him .... he's standing there naked while they are arguing.

They finally bring the family together and Paco's wife said .... take our car, take everything .... sell it.....they had packed for her to stay with her family for the entire summer so they had a lot of stuff.

So the robbers then call a taxi to come to the hotel and get the family and take them to the bus stop .... gives them $100 and tells them to go home. They go to the bus stop and buy a ticket to get them as far north as possible...

On the bus heading north they go through a "checkpoint" with cops and Paco tries to tell them what happened and they just "yeah, yeah, we don't believe you, get back on bus".

Sooooooooooooooo........the long and short of the story is that Paco believes everyone is in on it .... the guys at the toll booth saw him come through, called ahead and set the whole thing up thinking they had money because their car was new and had Arizona plates. He thinks the cops, the hotel, the taxi company .... everyone down there is part of the "sting".

So they are home and have nothing....but the clothes on their back. They spent the night at my daughter's because they are terrified to go home. My daughter and her family took them shopping for essentials today and my SIL's family has a place for them to stay for the next few days. They will be moving this week.......but their terror is still 10,000%.....and they are so afraid to tell the police...even the police in AZ (because they are afraid they will investigate and then assassins will be sent).

My daughter is getting as many details as she can .... she has lots of friends on the police force in Tucson and she is so pissed that I doubt this is over by a long shot. I asked her if she plans to still contact any of the news agencies.....she wants to make sure the family is tucked away before she does anything like that.

I told her she needs to find a good investigative reporter and then them run with it.

Anyway....we used to go to Mexico every year for a week's vacation....We didn't go last year .... and I doubt we will for a very long time. My daughter and her inlaws go down there allllllllll the time and I used to be scared, now I am terrified.

you mean to tell me the FBI never responded ?????

[SassyLady]

you mean to tell me the FBI never responded ?????

They haven't said anything to my daughter ... don't know if they are working on the case or not.

My daughter will definitely be following up.

[Gaffer]

They were told they would be targeted if they said anything to keep them quiet and stop any investigation. And it does sound like everyone down there was involved in the robbery. So its a big organization, probably drug cartel. They are lucky to be alive. Those gangs don't usually let people go. Definitely try to get the FBI involved and any Tucson police you can.

People need to start boycotting mexico. No vacations there or any dealings with them. It's a country run by criminals.

[SassyLady]

They were told they would be targeted if they said anything to keep them quiet and stop any investigation. And it does sound like everyone down there was involved in the robbery. So its a big organization, probably drug cartel. They are lucky to be alive. Those gangs don't usually let people go. Definitely try to get the FBI involved and any Tucson police you can.

People need to start boycotting mexico. No vacations there or any dealings with them. It's a country run by criminals.

My daughter and her inlaws have always told me that it was just the druggies fighting and killing each other but I think this has really opened their eyes.....because they DO have money and are prime targets....I have always had a hard time when they go down there....they were just down in Rocky Point last weekend ... they go to Hermosillo and Obregon and San Juan all the time ..... now I am going to be really freaked out if they keep going.

[Gaffer]

My daughter and her inlaws have always told me that it was just the druggies fighting and killing each other but I think this has really opened their eyes.....because they DO have money and are prime targets....I have always had a hard time when they go down there....they were just down in Rocky Point last weekend ... they go to Hermosillo and Obregon and San Juan all the time ..... now I am going to be really freaked out if they keep going.

Don't blame you, it's a very good reason to freak out. The corruption there is probably the worst it has been since the days of poncho villa. May eventually lead to military action on our part. Of course we will have to have a new president first so that actions at least a couple of years down the road. Hopefully they had some insurance to cover at least part of the loss. At least they should make a report to the FBI, they may act on it when there's a new administration. With the present one they will just sit on their hands.

[namvet]

it does sound like a tag team op. but the FBI sitting on its ass here????

[SassyLady]

Don't know about the insurance .... I think they exclude trips into Mexico .... but the Consulate said filing an offical report might help.

As for the FBI ... daughter has her police friends working on that ....

[SassyLady]

it does sound like a tag team op. but the FBI sitting on its ass here????

FBI said it was up to the consulate.

[namvet]

FBI said it was up to the consulate.

pass the buck or white wash??? that's starting to remind of the old west down there. gunfights in the streets. have to wait a week for the marshall to show up. soon roards will be marked for stage coaches only !!!!

sorry. didn't mean to make light here.

[darin]

so - have they taken advantage of Arizona's personal protection laws? My first trip would be to a gun show; if I didn't otherwise posses a means for defense.

[namvet]

mine the entire border. they'll all run for their lives !!!!


pfbhcqrKtno

[Abbey Marie]

That poor family! But they sound lucky to be alive and not even molested.

I have always said I would never go to Mexico. There are so many other beautiful and better places to go, why would I?

Besides, MFM will be living there soon. :eek:

[SassyLady]

UPDATE:

The family is at the consulate today filing a report stating what happened, the name of the hotel, the taxi company and that the local police would not even let them file a report.

They did have special insurance for traveling in Mexico so they will be reimbursed, which is why they have to file the report with the consulate even thought they were threatened with death if they did.

One of my daughter's cop friends' patrol area is where the family used to live (they moved out today) and will keep an ear to the ground.

The entire family, especially Paco, are extremely traumatized....there is a lot of behind the scenes stuff that my daughter's inlaws are doing to help them and they've got an armed escort everywhere they go (daughter's inlaws are all licensed to carry). My daughter's MIL is a friend of former Presidente Fox and she is getting the word out....whether anything will be done is another story.

The wife and kids weren't brutalized, but the father was ......... with guns and knives, strip searched and thrown around ... he's got some cuts and bruises.....and he really thought he was dead .... daughter says he is having some really bad "moments" but trying to keep it together for the wife and kids sake.

[Gaffer]

Actually this is better than FOX news. This way we get the actual facts of what you learn with no bias or angel, and we are all pulling for the family. I do think it was just local hoodlums who were just trying to intimidate and have no connection in the US. But still best to play it safe.

[SassyLady]

Actually this is better than FOX news. This way we get the actual facts of what you learn with no bias or angel, and we are all pulling for the family. I do think it was just local hoodlums who were just trying to intimidate and have no connection in the US. But still best to play it safe.

Wellllll, Gaffer, I'm a little biased a the moment ... I'm really pissed and wish I was a superhero Ranger or Seal, Dirty Harry or John McClane type who could wade through that community and round up the creeps and let them know what happens when you mess with family.......but I'll try to keep things on an even keel here.

Did I tell you guys that my daughter goes on ride-alongs with her cop friend at least 2-3 times a month....and has been on ride-alongs in the police helicopter? She's seen some pretty scary stuff out there .... last week she saw a gang related shooting and had to help the cop locate where the bullet ended up in the guy ... didn't exit the body....she said it's a lot like COPS show but lots of down time that isn't edited!! To go on the ride-along she has to attend the briefings ... so lots of the cops know her and want to do what they can to protect this family.

[Gaffer]

Wellllll, Gaffer, I'm a little biased a the moment ... I'm really pissed and wish I was a superhero Ranger or Seal, Dirty Harry or John McClane type who could wade through that community and round up the creeps and let them know what happens when you mess with family.......but I'll try to keep things on an even keel here.

Did I tell you guys that my daughter goes on ride-alongs with her cop friend at least 2-3 times a month....and has been on ride-alongs in the police helicopter? She's seen some pretty scary stuff out there .... last week she saw a gang related shooting and had to help the cop locate where the bullet ended up in the guy ... didn't exit the body....she said it's a lot like COPS show but lots of down time that isn't edited!! To go on the ride-along she has to attend the briefings ... so lots of the cops know her and want to do what they can to protect this family.

That's cool she can do that. Of course your bias, but your still tell us what happens and doing a great job. Plus if something isn't clear we can ask you and you will clarify it.

[sybarite]

Makes me glad I live no where near the Mexico border. By doing nothing about the cartels, they will inch their way further and further into the U.S. I'm glad everyone is o.k. and I don't blame you for feeling terrified. I truly hope something is done about this!!

[Little-Acorn]

Mrskurtsprincess, thank God your family came thru OK (meaning, alive. Not much else sounds OK).

I haven't figured out why you or they STILL haven't called Fox News.

I'm in San Diego, and can get you some contacts here if you like.

Failing to publicize this to the max, is a major mistake. How will you and your family feel, if this happens to some friends next week, and maybe one or more of them doesn't make it back?

Doesn't warning people now, seem like a good idea?

[Little-Acorn]

"Third-world country" doesn't just mean they eat coconuts, play bongos, and have warm weather year 'round.

It means that people like the ones Paco met, can grab you any time, make you do anything they want, take anything, threaten anything, and DO anything to you... and NO ONE will help you. Ever. And if you're never seen again, no one will lift a finger.

"Civilization" doesn't mean air conditioning, paved roads, large grocery stores, and cable TV. It means no one will do the above to you. And the few that try, wind up in jail real quick.

Those people targeted Paco because he looked wealthier than they were... and they knew they wouldn't get caught.

Know what really scares me? Above and beyond what happened to your family. There are politicians in this country who think it would be just fine if ANYBODY from Mexico who wanted to, could come into this country any time.

And they have even announced that the first people they would let stay, are the ones who have already broken our laws!

Most people in Mexico are not like the ones Paco met. But a significant percentage are. And of the ones who have already broken our laws and crashed the border, what percentage of THOSE do you think would do what Paco's new acquaintances did?

Yet those are the ones up for amnesty (sorry, "path to citizenshipo") first. AHEAD of the ones who respected our laws, stayed in Mexico, and applied through normal channels.

Paco ran into half a dozen people like that.

How about half a million (that's 3% of accomplished border-crashers), living in THIS country?

That's what really scares me... even more than what happened to your family.