A shocking home invasion targeting a group of American tourists in Puerto Peñasco preceded the July 19 shootout there, prompting the U.S. consulate to issue a new advisory to travelers.
On July 17 in the early-morning hours five armed men entered a home in Las Conchas, a beachfront neighborhood populated largely by Americans, said the president of the area’s homeowners association in an email to property owners.
“They restrained the individuals who were renting the house,” wrote president Ginger Beauchamp. “These men stole electronics, bedding, jewelry and an unidentified amount of cash.”
This attack was the most brazen of four that occurred in the last four months, said Chad Cummins, the U.S. Consul General in Nogales, Sonora. The other assaults were on Americans who live in Rocky Point, as the beachside town is known.
One of the victims was attacked in his home and seriously injured, Cummins said.
The consulate plans to issue a new “warden message” this afternoon noting these violent incidents and advising tourists to take heed of the travel warning issued in February. That warning said tourists should travel in the daytime and only use the road from Lukeville to get to Rocky Point, not travel other connecting roads in Mexico.
While violence in Mexico has been commonplace for the last six years, Puerto Peñasco had largely escaped serious incidents, and attacks on foreigners were minimal.
The home invasion in Las Conchas was unprecedented as far as Beauchamp knows.
Read more in tomorrow's Star
Google has xx10xx pages to read up on it. Better not go to Phoenix. Home invasions on Phoenix tourists/residents prompts new U.S. warning.............. Oh, Phoenix has a task force too.
First I heard about this was about 1 hour earlier in the day today. It was street talk. Not a good thing and looks real bad for Penasco due in part the the penchant for the media to hammer stories about Mexcian Violence. Home Invasion reporting is trendy right now also, used to be B & E but Home Invasion sounds scarier so that's the new terminology.
The Teen up there in AZ deserves a medal for shooting a guy that broke into his family home. From the description I read he had a good head on his shoulders and did it just right.
It's like Mondone said... you've got no firepower of your own in Mexico, and even if you did, you'd be overwhelmed by numbers
If a Las Conchas guest isn't safe, ain't nobody safe.
The guy who alerted me to this on-line story told me this is it for him until he's seen a few consecutive years of no violence against tourists. And this guy is an RP veteran.
But it will be interesting to see what else comes out tomorrow, and if there's any explanation regarding why this incident wasn't publicly reported sooner and how the reporter managed to get the story. This particular reporter has been known to respond to civil questions in the comments section, so we might try asking or emailing him. I'd be especially interested in how these characters got through the guard gate and why they weren't apprehended.
Is the Beauchamp email wrong? When did the email go out? How many recipients of the Beauchamp email are habitues of this forum and thus might be expected to comment here? How do you know the 400 recipients of the Beauchamp email aren't buying it? And when did Tim Stellar become a drug reporter? This could come as a surprise to him. As for Roberto's earlier comment about terminology - B&E vs. home invasion - I'm not sure, but I believe home invasion connotes forced entry into an occupied home whereas breaking and entering does not. Let's see what shows up in the paper tomorrow.
How could something like this happen and have had not made it to this forum? Especially the part about it happening to some American's that live down there? You would think if this happen to an American baby boomer it would have made its way onto this forum and in the news immediately. Something smells fishy here, has anyone ever heard of a home invasion on Americans in Rocky Point ever? Once again I want to know the facts, because usually when you start digging on a report like this you find that these were Mexican Americans or just Americans that had a direct connection or a loose connection to organized crime and or drugs. AMIRITE
Does anyone have info on the other three invasions in PP that the article mentioned? Were they against tourists? And what area of town were they in?
One of the problems is Mexico is a lack of decent reporting and a lack of decent police work. The communication issue between the police and the victims also probably was a problem. I personally don't even know the police or fire numbers and am not aware of a 911 system.
I have always left my doors unlocked and open when in my house, may re-think this now.
One thing for sure: the home invasion/B&E incidents in metro Phoenix are often and violent and many go unreported.
One of the problems is Mexico is a lack of decent reporting and a lack of decent police work. The communication issue between the police and the victims also probably was a problem. I personally don't even know the police or fire numbers and am not aware of a 911 system.
I have always left my doors unlocked and open when in my house, may re-think this now.
One thing for sure: the home invasion/B&E incidents in metro Phoenix are often and violent and many go unreported.
This story was reported and discussed on the radio news the day after it happened. It just took the US media this long to catch wind of it. Mexico Joe is right, this particular kind of crime is not the norm. This was directly related to the shooting just two days later. In this case, local media and the State Investigative Police did their jobs.
Dirtsurfer, you probably keep your doors locked at home and you should always do so here, too.
I have my doubts about the other incidents mentioned in the warning.
This story was reported and discussed on the radio news the day after it happened. It just took the US media this long to catch wind of it. Mexico Joe is right, this particular kind of crime is not the norm. This was directly related to the shooting just two days later. In this case, local media and the State Investigative Police did their jobs.
Dirtsurfer, you probably keep your doors locked at home and you should always do so here, too.
I have my doubts about the other incidents mentioned in the warning.
Yep the US Media was busy with the Colorado mass killings
So you and Russ knew about it but did not share with the RPTalk community? It takes a front page article (Todays Tucson star) and a Consulate warning to make this board? This board is suppose to break news not follow it. And this happend 2 days before the shooting in town and three days before the Aurora Shooting so it is not a reason that this missed the press. This was placed under the rug for eyes outside not to see or talk about.
What I think is that CONDO's, HOTELS and the Mayan will benefit being secured locations vs free standing homes.
Hey wahoo, dont attempt to slander me. I was out of town at trade shows. I am just reading about it today for the first time as we just rolled into Penasco last night.
The break in and the shootings are related and started over a drink. There is also a good reason why there was no report from the guard gate, the attackers lived in Las Conchas. Home for years to many scoundrels, and most of them not Mexican.
Hey Russ; absolutely; Sorry, Mia culpa. You where on the road with the Travel guy. I assumed you and Rossie did the Radio Show together and she said it was discussed on the Radio. Again all assumptions and all wrong.
Accept my apology to using your Name in that post. You are one of the good guys.
No prob. I havent been on the radio with Rosie for a few months now - we (Naomi and I) are concentrating on our businesses as things seem to be taking off in a good way.
It didn't actually say what the other acts of violence were, and I'm wondering why they were so vague about them; if they happened at all.
I asked my original question to see if anyone had specific's on the other three of the "four" reported attacks. It seems that there is always some vague warning as to the "additional" dangers of Mexico. Yet when you actually investigate them, they turn out to be baseless, or old news from a year or two ago that is being regurgitated to validate yet another State Department excuse to issue a PP specific travel warning a month before Labor day.
If anyone has info on the other attacks please post the facts. I visit PP +/- ten times a year and believe in staying informed and not getting riled by vague reports.
I am truly sick and tried of people using misdirection and changing the subject of all these crime reports. Yes the US has crime and murders...thank you Mr Obvious. Please stop the BS and use these forums to discuss and dissect the truth.
Now back to this topic...what are the facts??? Did a women get raped, Are the shootings and home invasion related??
Oh...so you understand where I'm coming from...Ive been going to Rocky Point for over 20 years and own a house in Los Conchas. And for the first time ever I had second thoughts about coming down.
The break in and the shootings are related and started over a drink. There is also a good reason why there was no report from the guard gate, the attackers lived in Las Conchas. Home for years to many scoundrels, and most of them not Mexican.
OK, Bill. I had a teacher who once asked me if I was just stupid or apethetic. I answered, I don't know and I don't care. So lets assume, at the beginning, that I am stupid.
I've been watching this story for a few weeks now and to tell the truth I cannot connect the dots. Your statement is the first one I've seen that appears to have a connection.
Let me see if I can figure this out by the sketchy information provided from various sources and stupid deductive skills.
It starts out with two groups of bad guys in a bar somewhere. One group lives in Las Conchas and the other group rents there.There are harsh
or angry words exchanged, but nothing bad transpires there. One group of bad guys goes back to the place they are renting in Las Conchas and
at some point, the other bad guys invade their place, take their stuff and rape the woman. That really pisses off the other bad guys so they finally,
after two days, catch up with bad guys 1 at the stadium/sports complex. Now the robees shoot the robors and flee down to Fremont. At that point
the police start shooting at the bad guys 2 and a gun fight evolves. An officer and a bad guy get killed there. It sounds like all participants except
for the police are bad guys.
This is what I put together out of the pieces lying all over the floor. Am I close to right or way off?
The break in and the shootings are related and started over a drink. There is also a good reason why there was no report from the guard gate, the attackers lived in Las Conchas. Home for years to many scoundrels, and most of them not Mexican.
Sounds to me like you have the inside info on this Bill. Would you mind sharing the details with us?
I believe the home invasion was targeted. It makes no other sense. There are dozens of vacant homes that could be broken into with no chance of violence. The hoa is keeping mum which I believe is wrong since they have a duty to inform us home owners.
Chari...I know about the 066, but I recall seeing something written that Mexico (or part) was instituting the 911 for emergencies....that, or senility is really kicking in.
OK, Bill. I had a teacher who once asked me if I was just stupid or apethetic. I answered, I don't know and I don't care. So lets assume, at the beginning, that I am stupid.
I've been watching this story for a few weeks now and to tell the truth I cannot connect the dots. Your statement is the first one I've seen that appears to have a connection.
Let me see if I can figure this out by the sketchy information provided from various sources and stupid deductive skills.
It starts out with two groups of bad guys in a bar somewhere. One group lives in Las Conchas and the other group rents there.There are harsh
or angry words exchanged, but nothing bad transpires there. One group of bad guys goes back to the place they are renting in Las Conchas and
at some point, the other bad guys invade their place, take their stuff and rape the woman. That really pisses off the other bad guys so they finally,
after two days, catch up with bad guys 1 at the stadium/sports complex. Now the robees shoot the robors and flee down to Fremont. At that point
the police start shooting at the bad guys 2 and a gun fight evolves. An officer and a bad guy get killed there. It sounds like all participants except
for the police are bad guys.
This is what I put together out of the pieces lying all over the floor. Am I close to right or way off?
Jack- I think your brilliant deduction of the sequence of events is only missing one minor (but critical) detail:
You forgot the part where the police mistook the grey-haired gringo from Green Valley for one of the bad guys, apprehended him, and threw his criminal ass in the hooskow for jaywalking, driving on the wrong side of a one-way street, and failing to yield to an old lady in the crosswalk...
Little did they know that they were actually saving this dangerous threat to society's life; since he was unable to be present at the deadly gunfight that took place several minutes later....
So you and Russ knew about it but did not share with the RPTalk community? It takes a front page article (Todays Tucson star) and a Consulate warning to make this board? This board is suppose to break news not follow it. And this happend 2 days before the shooting in town and three days before the Aurora Shooting so it is not a reason that this missed the press. This was placed under the rug for eyes outside not to see or talk about.
What I think is that CONDO's, HOTELS and the Mayan will benefit being secured locations vs free standing homes.
As Russ has pointed out, we aren't joined at the hip. Just because I know something, there's no need to assume he does, and vice versa. The Las Conchas robbery was reported on the radio's morning news show. The next day, the story was recanted. I wasn't about to come running over here with a so-called scoop without first getting some reliable information. Two days later the shooting happened, in my first post on the shooting, I mentioned that “A band of bad guys from out of town (Caborca) have been rumored to be behind some recent thievery in Penasco”.
No one is placing anything under the rug. For days, I’ve been fielding calls from clients and reporters with questions, and made an effort to answer as straightforwardly as possible while still being careful not to run with rumors or fuel other people’s agendas. Has it occurred to you that in many cases victims ask that attention not be brought to what’s happened to them? Add to that the fact that, when an investigation is ongoing, law enforcement often withholds information from the media and the public.
If sometimes I’m privy to information because people trust me, I don’t take that lightly and and won't abuse confidences. When I had a weekly online newspaper, I met my obligation to keep people informed. I gave that up because I got too busy, had no technical help and it didn’t pay. Why is this board “supposed to break news”? As much as I’d like to be considered helpful, I’m under no obligation to come running overhere with every bit of info that crosses my path. Usually I wait until I see someone driving us off into Rumorsville before I pipe in with a correction.
Audsley Sez: As for Roberto's earlier comment about terminology - B&E vs. home invasion - I'm not sure, but I believe home invasion connotes forced entry into an occupied home whereas breaking and entering does not.
Ahem, Breaking refers to force. Homeinvasion is surely a media term . I don't like it. Is there a law defining home invasion as contrasted to burgulary, robbery, breaking and entering, anyone happen to know ? Robbery connotes breaking and entering face to face and burgulary theft.
Locals here get lots of information via the so called social networks, often with photos. I have to say, other than the rash of burgularies we had in the Mirador a bit back, which might be termed Home Invasions, I have not heard of any such 'attacks" let alone a rash of them. The rash in the Mirador was red and itchy and the guy was taken down and voila we had peace in the neighbor hood.
Again I still do not, and probably never will, know the whole story about this most recent episode. I don't think anyone will know the complete story. I would expect that if there were US citizen visitors subjected to this kind of treatment that they will appear on the local news where ever that might be. You can be sure the news folk are scrambling to find them.Or more likely GMA where the bucks are. I'm not saying I don't believe it happened, it is just odd the people have not appeared.
As for an earlier comment that suggested that some forum members are expected to report on events here, and that is the purpose of this forum, fine. I need regular posts on violence in Colorado Springs, Albuquerque, Macon Georgia, Horseheads, NY and Syracuse NY, where I have family and may go visit.
If the two factions were both residing in Unconscious that might explain the security guards inattention. Any way you look at it it's a baaad situation. Rape is one of the more heinious crimes in my book. I was hoping the rapist got shot in the later event.
I am truly sick and tried of people using misdirection and changing the subject of all these crime reports. Yes the US has crime and murders...thank you Mr Obvious. Please stop the BS and use these forums to discuss and dissect the truth.
Now back to this topic...what are the facts??? Did a women get raped, Are the shootings and home invasion related??
Oh...so you understand where I'm coming from...Ive been going to Rocky Point for over 20 years and own a house in Los Conchas. And for the first time ever I had second thoughts about coming down.
There are rumors that there was a rape. No other details are forthcoming. There was a band of bad guys doing bad things. They are now dead, having died in a well-publicized altercation on July 19th. One state police investigator was killed, and two others wounded. There are certain types of crimes that are pretty much unheard of in Penasco, like what happened in Las Conchas. I think that with the recent example that was made of those guys, it'll be a long time before anyone steps out of line again. The message is clear...the type of activity that hurts tourism won't be tolerated.
OK, Bill. I had a teacher who once asked me if I was just stupid or apethetic. I answered, I don't know and I don't care. So lets assume, at the beginning, that I am stupid.
I've been watching this story for a few weeks now and to tell the truth I cannot connect the dots. Your statement is the first one I've seen that appears to have a connection.
Let me see if I can figure this out by the sketchy information provided from various sources and stupid deductive skills.
It starts out with two groups of bad guys in a bar somewhere. One group lives in Las Conchas and the other group rents there.There are harsh
or angry words exchanged, but nothing bad transpires there. One group of bad guys goes back to the place they are renting in Las Conchas and
at some point, the other bad guys invade their place, take their stuff and rape the woman. That really pisses off the other bad guys so they finally,
after two days, catch up with bad guys 1 at the stadium/sports complex. Now the robees shoot the robors and flee down to Fremont. At that point
the police start shooting at the bad guys 2 and a gun fight evolves. An officer and a bad guy get killed there. It sounds like all participants except
for the police are bad guys.
This is what I put together out of the pieces lying all over the floor. Am I close to right or way off?
Jack, I think you are pretty accurate in your assessment. I have also heard from an inside source in the current local government that this 'home invasion' was a targeted event. The parties involved knew of each other. It was mentioned that one of the parties were from Southern California and were part of a drug ring. The shoot out a couple days later was supposedly a retaliation for the home invasion. My source said that these were not random tourists. They were in Rocky Point for a reason.
I am not guaranteeing this info to be 100% accurate, but this is what I have heard.
Rosy, you are correct in how you handled this. I apologized to Russ and now same to you. I did not connect these two events as one. Now it makes allot of sense why this is on the low down and not widely reported, nothing here in Phoenix. Bad against bad they get what is due. Sorry that a local painter and local policeman had to suffer so much at the end. So was the tally seven or six?
Total six according to the press release I got. Thanks, Wahoo...
Anyone gone out and bought a copy of the DE Frente. Full story should be in there...should be on the net shortly...
You can bet, there is a story. Its already been stretched so far from what happened, I bet they paid good money to whoever concocted the twist on this mess. Whoever concocted it I hope it happens to they're family too. Karma can be a bitch. The simple truth is less scary than whats being thrown out there. Matter of fact as Rosy mentioned, they took care of the problem.
You can bet, there is a story. Its already been stretched so far from what happened, I bet they paid good money to whoever concocted the twist on this mess. Whoever concocted it I hope it happens to they're family too. Karma can be a bitch. The simple truth is less scary than whats being thrown out there. Matter of fact as Rosy mentioned, they took care of the problem.
Tks for the heads up Bill, I gotta go so i'm out here till manana...
The fV@Ked up thing that really bothers me about these reports is the repetition of the "loose" term American Citizens. Very powerful rhetoric that immediately captures the readers attention. American citizen, and suddenly your brain produces an image of who this may have happened to. When I hear American Citizen the image that pops up in my head, especially if it involves a family of American Citizens is middle class America. This is why the rhetoric is so captivating, "you mean, a family like mine was involved in a home invasion in Rocky Point?". It seems that these events usually involve Mexican Americans. It's unfortunate that the media cant be real and just call it like it is, Mexican Americans involved in a criminal enterprise. Instead, we get American Citizens involved in a home invasion. Tell me about one attack on a vacationing middle class American regardless of race if this person is truly just an innocent person traveling abroad; does not exist! The case with the two white middle class Americans in Texas riding their jet skis on Falcon Lake and the husband gets gunned down for no reason. She didnt seem too remorseful in my opinion and the whole story seems a little fishy. If you ask me, it seems like the husband and wife teamed up and found out how lucrative and easy it was to smuggle cocaine across this lake inside their jetskis. They were supposedly taking pictures of an old church on the Mexican side of the lake, lol and jesus walked on water. This is organized crime and it is unfortunate for Rocky Point that these criminals just happened to be American Citizens and I use that term "loosely" of course! This wasn't your co-worker from your accounting firm, this wasn't Joe the plumber. Absolutely unfortunate.
Do you think that there will be an official story released by the local government? I love coming here and getting all the latest info but would be interested to know for sure what happened. The way the media portrayed the story, it appears these "citizens" were just vacationing...
The parties involved knew of each other. It was mentioned that one of the parties were from Southern California and were part of a drug ring. The shoot out a couple days later was supposedly a retaliation for the home invasion. My source said that these were not random tourists. They were in Rocky Point for a reason.
Well, I guess even drug dealers need a vacation every now and then... I mean, they often have to work all night, and they're always on the lookout for anyone about to start spraying them with hot lead... sounds like a pretty stressful job to me.:ugeek:
This all makes me wonder if people were afraid to go to Rocky Point in the 1930's whenever they'd hear (or read in the newspaper) that Al Capone was in town...
The fV@Ked up thing that really bothers me about these reports is the repetition of the "loose" term American Citizens. Very powerful rhetoric that immediately captures the readers attention. American citizen, and suddenly your brain produces an image of who this may have happened to. When I hear American Citizen the image that pops up in my head, especially if it involves a family of American Citizens is middle class America. This is why the rhetoric is so captivating, "you mean, a family like mine was involved in a home invasion in Rocky Point?". It seems that these events usually involve Mexican Americans. It's unfortunate that the media cant be real and just call it like it is, Mexican Americans involved in a criminal enterprise. Instead, we get American Citizens involved in a home invasion. Tell me about one attack on a vacationing middle class American regardless of race if this person is truly just an innocent person traveling abroad; does not exist! The case with the two white middle class Americans in Texas riding their jet skis on Falcon Lake and the husband gets gunned down for no reason. She didnt seem too remorseful in my opinion and the whole story seems a little fishy. If you ask me, it seems like the husband and wife teamed up and found out how lucrative and easy it was to smuggle cocaine across this lake inside their jetskis. They were supposedly taking pictures of an old church on the Mexican side of the lake, lol and jesus walked on water. This is organized crime and it is unfortunate for Rocky Point that these criminals just happened to be American Citizens and I use that term "loosely" of course! This wasn't your co-worker from your accounting firm, this wasn't Joe the plumber. Absolutely unfortunate.
I do agree with your comment that Mexican/Americans are usually who they refer to when they use the term U.S. Citizen. I have to take argument with the rest of your post. Too often we see people who have a similar attitude such as yours where they incorrectly assume because they do not have first-hand knowledge of something that it never happened. I was a victim of the extreme violence in Mexico and I certainly have no connection to any of these drug or crime groups. I can point you to countless stories or news accounts where a "white" or Anglo tourist was killed or abused during a car-jacking or similar type of crime. I can also direct you to a group that maintains records of those who have been kidnapped and never heard from again. Is the crime against U.S. tourists equal to the crime against Mexico's own citizens? The answer is clearly no but to insinuate that crime against a tourist or a U.S. citizen (who has no Mexican ancestry) "does not exist" is both reckless and delusional.
Living anywhere (even in the U.S.) can be dangerous. Clearly going to a movie or a town-hall type meeting in front of a grocery store has its risks. Living or traveling in Mexico has associated risks as well. Like anything else in life, we have to evaluate risk vs. reward and make an informed decision. I personally feel that Rocky Point is just as safe as any mid-sized town in the U.S. but everyone is free to reach their own conclusion.
Jack, I think you are pretty accurate in your assessment. I have also heard from an inside source in the current local government that this 'home invasion' was a targeted event. The parties involved knew of each other. It was mentioned that one of the parties were from Southern California and were part of a drug ring. The shoot out a couple days later was supposedly a retaliation for the home invasion. My source said that these were not random tourists. They were in Rocky Point for a reason.
I am not guaranteeing this info to be 100% accurate, but this is what I have heard.
The city need's to put a little more thought into the lies they are spreading about this family, if the family comes out and does make a statement, it would be devastating to what little integrity they have left. If they do make a statement, it will shock you, who they really are. There is nothing further from the truth, about them being narcos. Thats what I meant in my post about concocting stories. You haven't seen that about the family being narcos, in any of the releases in Arizona, have you? There is a reason for that, it would be shot down in about 5 seconds. This stuff is really none of my business, I didn't post anything here when it happened a couple weeks ago, I just can't stand bull shitten govt. officials. Like I said, hopefully it will happen to they're family someday, and we can tell everybody they were just narcos.
There is nothing further from the truth, about them being narcos. Thats what I meant in my post about concocting stories. You haven't seen that about the family being narcos, in any of the releases in Arizona, have you? There is a reason for that, it would be shot down in about 5 seconds.
That's fair enough... to me it is really pointless whether there is a cartel connection or not...
In China, the rising wealth levels have given rise to corrupt families pulling "Hatfields and McCoys" on each other all over the place - failed real estate deals are most often the primary underlying cause.
Hell, this whole RP incident might have simply boiled down to some distorted form of "family honor" being violated. Vengeance and retaliation, taken to the extreme.
I like the point that this entire episode was all about specific people who had a beef with some specific other people, and they played it out... The term "tourist" does not belong in this story, IMHO....
Sucks that the innocent painter got taken out by cross fire - THAT seems like the only LEGITMATE story here:
"A bunch of people chose to settle some personal vendettas with a shootout, and some poor painter who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time got killed as a result of their stupidity, irresponsibility, and failure to act like adults."
Many discussions about this incident with my wife. I think the bottom line is that the world we live in is socially corrupt to some degree, that even though there are really good people out there there is also a large part of the population that really doesn't care about anyone else but themselves, so that allows them to do really bad things.
To that end we would be foolish to declare that where we live (no matter where it is) is free of these socially inept people.
It does not matter to us what color or nationality the victims were, they were obviously victims. The crime against them is heinous regardless if they had ties or previous knowledge of the perps.
I believe that all of us no matter where we reside need to live our lives with eyes open and not be lured into believing that we live somewhere that is so special that bad stuff doesn't happen.
When I lived in Cottonwood, a small town in Northern AZ I locked my doors all the time and set my alarm. I had security doors and all! Was that action a result of something that had happened to me personally? No! It is just wise policy. Do I lock my doors in Penasco? Of course I do. Do I worry when I go out of town that I may be a victim of a break in? Of course I do. So I take measures to lessen my risk, and guess what folks we all have risk.
I hate that this crime happened where I live. I hate that this activity is rampant worldwide. I wish there was a perfectly safe place to call home where you could leave your doors unlocked and keys in your car, but that place does not exist.
Having said all of that I still report that we have a pretty great place here in Penasco. Warts and all. Gotta go, the beach is calling!
They have all you of thinking now the family was or is hispanic, they are'nt.
Bill, I appreciate your information, I really do. But are you trying to say that these people whose home was robbed/invaded were really just a couple of innnocent, white, American tourists enjoying a beer at the home in Las Conchas? They have absolutely nothing to do with anybody or anything else in RP other than just enjoying the beach like the average person? I'm not doubting you, I'm asking, sincerely.
What I come up with now after reading everything here is a timeline like this:
1) Home invaded/robbed - with possible rape
2) 2 Days later the people who were robbed shoot at the 2 Mexicans who robbed them
3) All four die in the shootout, along with 2 state police officers and a painter.
What I can't figure out is why the 2 innocent, white, mind-your-own-business Las Conchas homeowners went gunning down the two Mexicans for revenge.
Please straighten me out here - my head is spinning.
I have reason, to believe, they work for the Greecian Consolute, thats why I mentioned the city, should think twice about what they are telling people.
Folks, this is Tim Steller (note the spelling, Larry!), the reporter of the story in the Arizona Daily Star. FWIW, I'm interested in the July 17 home invasion, the July 19 shootout, and any possible connection between the two. I'd be happy to hear what you have to say. I'm at [email protected] or 520-807-8427.
I've been down to PP quite a few times but am not a regular. I'm also skeptical of most of what I hear unless there's some way to substantiate it, but I'm happy to work at substantiation.
Two other points: I did a lot of reporting on border-area organized crime in the 1997-2003 era. And a "home invasion" is a residential armed robbery. It's a situation where armed robbers break into a home with the residents present.
Well, well, senor reporter !! What you will get here is a lot of fragmented information most of it second or third or fourth hand. Remember teh three blind men and the elephant. You will of course feel free to report whatever you gather irrespective of confirmation, maybe using that much used disclaimer that the informant cannot be identified because he was not authorized to release the information. You will find more useful information in the wastebasket at the Circle K mens room.
My 2 cents, We were there the day after. There was nothing different from being here in AZ. We had no troubles and a blast being in RP. The police have everything under control, just like in the USA. Dont hang around shady people and you will be fine.
Well I'm confident that you are delighted to be on the trail of a hot story that has all the sexy elements that you media folk like today: Mexico, blood, abuse, cartels. That's the stuff that sells papers, right.
My 2 cents, We were there the day after. There was nothing different from being here in AZ. We had no troubles and a blast being in RP. The police have everything under control, just like in the USA. Dont hang around shady people and you will be fine.
Was that mexican painter fella hanging around with shady people?:sharks:
Well I'm confident that you are delighted to be on the trail of a hot story that has all the sexy elements that you media folk like today: Mexico, blood, abuse, cartels. That's the stuff that sells papers, right.
Well, here is a news flash. It was fun, great times, beer was good, food was great, people were great, and we were safe. Down side, we got sun burnt and my back is pealing now. The sun was the worst threat in RP.
Roberto, please explain how it is not newsworthy and relevant when a tourist haven in Mexico that many of our readers visit suddenly is hit with violent crimes against visitors for the first time.
Thanks for the warning, Roberto! Sometimes if you trace a rumor or a fragment of information backward, you can find something useful.
Useful for what purpose? Useful for you to develop a sensational story so you can keep your job? Useful to improve readership? Useful that you already got several stories out of it?
What you offer today under the ruberic 'News" is highly filtered, selected, distorted crap offered for the sole purpose of garnering viewers, readers for the purpose of increasing advertising revenue, nothing else. It's all about the money and you pander to the base instincts of people for money. Prostitutes have more integrity, at least they admit what they are doing. You let everyone know that it happened, now you are looking for new 'angles' to justify vomiting all over again. Bet you love a photo of the blood on the roadway, or a couple of good closeups of the bodies, that's very important news, right. Don' t forget to repeat "50,000 people killed in Mexico Violence" as often as you can, tha't a sexy line. How about including that "50,000 deaths supported by US drug users" . Remember that every dollar used in violence in Mexico came out of the pocket of a US criminal drug user, repeat that. Course if you enjoy a joint now and then or daily, or a line or two after work, you don't wanna complain that way.
Folks, this is Tim Steller (note the spelling, Larry!), the reporter of the story in the Arizona Daily Star. FWIW, I'm interested in the July 17 home invasion, the July 19 shootout, and any possible connection between the two. I'd be happy to hear what you have to say. I'm at [email protected] or 520-807-8427.
I've been down to PP quite a few times but am not a regular. I'm also skeptical of most of what I hear unless there's some way to substantiate it, but I'm happy to work at substantiation.
Sorry Tim, no disrespect intended, but as a reporter you would be the last person in the world, I would contact. National Enquirer would be second to last. Its one thing to jack around here on this site for fun, its another talk to a reporter. I knew about it right after it happened and never would have posted anything, but things got so messed up,
azfish - I am hoping for the same experience in a couple weeks renting a nice place in Las Conchas. The problem is our group of "adults and children" would like to stay out of harms way and we have options on where we will vacation. I have been to RP many times and stayed numerous places and have never heard of something like this happening. So at the moment this story is causing some of the other members of my party to reconsider staying there or possibly switching to Las Palomas which they think is more secure (something about not being on the ground floor). I think security unfortunately is always reactionary instead of proactive so most likely Las Conchas will now be the safest part of town. It seems odd to me that there aren't more facts out there on this unfortunate event when it happened July 17th.
Oh Pleeeeze. What a great line, maybe you will get to see it in print. "A well known Puerto Penasco informant described events in Penasco as a "Valentines Day Masacre (sic), but he cannot be identified because we don't know who he is !!! Just the kind of crap we need there Wahooo, perfect. He's the blind guy that has a hold of the tail.
My 2 cents, We were there the day after. There was nothing different from being here in AZ. We had no troubles and a blast being in RP. The police have everything under control, just like in the USA. Dont hang around shady people and you will be fine.
The police had everything under control last week when my family and I down last week. They were traveling in vehicle groups of four with masked officers riding in the back all sporting rifles. The army was also normal in the few locations we saw them also with masks and even larger rifles.
We had a great time but we kept our awareness level up. I was unaware that just down the street from where we were eating dinner at Brian's Sport Bar that their had been a shootout where police and a bystander had been killed. I wasn't worried, because I must have had my head in the sand, or news of this magnitude about Mexico tourist locations is squelched. If this had happened in Sedona the valley news would have been all over it but I don't think the local PD would be reacting the same a week later and I wouldn't expect the US Army would be staged in multiple locations either.
But we did have a good time and no one in the family ever felt as if they were in any imminent danger.
So if a U.S. reporter shows up looking to investigate this incident, we should run him off since the Mexican media and public officials have done such a great job of informing the public about this series of incidents in a timely manner?
Regarding the word "useful" - I consider it useful to know the nature of some of the occupants at Las Conchas and how some people there got into trouble. If Tim Steller can get us a clearer understanding of what actually happened, I'll be grateful for that even if he's just doing it to keep his job, make a name for himself, get girls, or whatever. The way it's gone so far, statements from public officials and the press have been so incomplete and contradictory that official channels seem no more reliable than the rumor mill. The shroud of mystery around these events only makes the tragedies more ominous.
Attacking the press is fun for everyone!!!:grin: Let's be frank: While many of you are concluding this was simply a bad-guys vs. bad-guys incident, that's a very convenient conclusion to reach because it whitewashes the problem. That doesn't mean it's not true, but it does mean that the conclusion should be treated with skepticism. lagrimas85 appears to have better information but is unwilling to go into detail.
Also, several of you are treating "selling papers" as if it were a sin. Our business depends on us being a worthwhile, relevant, accurate news source. So, yes, these stories sell papers -- and for good reason! If you have a critique or correction to my story, please let me know rather than broadly criticizing "The Media." I happily "sell papers" with good information.
If you think I've exaggerated about the incidents, go to the State Department's description of the home invasion in this bulletin: "In a separate incident, vacationers, many of whom were U.S. citizens, were victims of a home invasion during which adults and children were held at gunpoint while the house was robbed and a woman was sexually assaulted." In a SEPARATE INCIDENT, there was a "home invasion and assault that left a U.S. citizen severely injured" — i.e. there have been two home invasions affecting U.S. citizens in RP in the last four months.
Awaiting your calls and emails ;-) .... Tim, aka Señor Reporter [email protected] ; 520-807-8427
Has any one released the names of the deceased or the address of the home invasion?
I'd love to see Senor Reporter (or any one) have a chance to shed some light on this with something besides rumors. I'm not really convinced of anything right now except there was shootout and a cop killed and that narco guy.
As you say Bill, no disrespect intended, but why would anyone with more than a few vested interests in PP want it reported?
Kenny, get your own sardines this year. Just kidding, I'll be your sardine boy again. Just PM me. It actually could work in some peoples favor here that it got reported. But I will report on that statement later.
Attacking the press is fun for everyone!!!:grin: Let's be frank: While many of you are concluding this was simply a bad-guys vs. bad-guys incident, that's a very convenient conclusion to reach because it whitewashes the problem. That doesn't mean it's not true, but it does mean that the conclusion should be treated with skepticism. lagrimas85 appears to have better information but is unwilling to go into detail.
Also, several of you are treating "selling papers" as if it were a sin. Our business depends on us being a worthwhile, relevant, accurate news source. So, yes, these stories sell papers -- and for good reason! If you have a critique or correction to my story, please let me know rather than broadly criticizing "The Media." I happily "sell papers" with good information.
If you think I've exaggerated about the incidents, go to the State Department's description of the home invasion in this bulletin: "In a separate incident, vacationers, many of whom were U.S. citizens, were victims of a home invasion during which adults and children were held at gunpoint while the house was robbed and a woman was sexually assaulted." In a SEPARATE INCIDENT, there was a "home invasion and assault that left a U.S. citizen severely injured" — i.e. there have been two home invasions affecting U.S. citizens in RP in the last four months.
Awaiting your calls and emails ;-) .... Tim, aka Señor Reporter [email protected] ; 520-807-8427
You pry havent noticed because you just became a member of Rockypointtalk.com but nobody on here gives a flying fvck about what the state department releases!!!!!!!!! They bullsh!t just as mush as you do.
What is a US reporter going to learn on this site, These people are so far out in left field, its ridiculous.
Come on Tio, he already got a great quote form Wahoo. That might even get picked up on the National news, he will look great for picking it up FIRST !! And I think I'm far out in center field !!
And no reports of funerals for the police or the bystander that lost their lives in the rolling machine gun battle that went throught the city streets.
Also, several of you are treating "selling papers" as if it were a sin. Our business depends on us being a worthwhile, relevant, accurate news source.
Your business depends on Pandering. Given the choice, you are gonna pander. Blood and guts sells, but some of us think it is not news worthy. It's not the selling papers, it the extremes you go through to do so. There is really littel worthwhile, relevant or accurate in today's news. I repeat, it is not news, it's vomit. How many stories do you hope to get out of this tragedy? Maybe you will get some National attention.
Awaiting your calls and emails ;-) .... Tim, aka Señor Reporter [email protected] ; 520-807-8427
You remind me of another so called 'reporter' who wrote a hot story on some violence and in the process revealed some life threating information about a person involved, but he got the story. He did benefit from that as he got a job.
I spent almost 20 years in the media business. I know what is important to you guys. Bet you would have loved to work for Rupert, now there's a guy willing to go the extra mile for the facts.
You remind me of another so called 'reporter' who wrote a hot story on some violence and in the process revealed some life threating information about a person involved, but he got the story. He did benefit from that as he got a job.
I spent almost 20 years in the media business. I know what is important to you guys. Bet you would have loved to work for Rupert, now there's a guy willing to go the extra mile for the facts.
That's why they call it the Fox Nothing Channel. Same way when I get on azcentral.com and they have a headline, "Man riding bike shot in Phoenix", you click on the link and literally there is about 4 lines of NOTHING, essentially reiterating the headline, man shot while riding his bike in Phoenix, no further details, check back later for more. It's like really?! That's hardly news, but as Roberto says, it grabbed my attention and while Im there I see all the pretty little advertising for BROWN HAND CENTER, guy beat his wife but hes great with your carpel tunnel.
have you had the opportunity to interview the "US citizens" that were "victims" of said home invasions?
You and I are in similar lines of work that require the play of words. I'll give one as an example...
event: A home invasion of a group of renters from the US recently took place. It appears that criminal ties and/or previous connections between both groups may be in play. The event led to a shootout a few days later between both groups, in which known criminals were killed in the shootout. Various reports point to a connection between both events and a connection that the home invasion was targeted.
clever wording: A born and bred American who loves apple pie and child of a weeping mother experienced a horrific event when a group of the most dangerous humans entered their vacationing home while they cooked hotdogs and made smores. The area that this heinous act took place is an area were god loving americans frequent.
Tim- you may want to consider further research other than cut and paste bits and pieces of info you read about online. For example do some investigative journalism regarding the 2 events and you may find out it was not as exciting and dangerous as you had hoped for.
best of luck!
SeñorReporter said:
Attacking the press is fun for everyone!!!:grin: Let's be frank: While many of you are concluding this was simply a bad-guys vs. bad-guys incident, that's a very convenient conclusion to reach because it whitewashes the problem. That doesn't mean it's not true, but it does mean that the conclusion should be treated with skepticism. lagrimas85 appears to have better information but is unwilling to go into detail.
Also, several of you are treating "selling papers" as if it were a sin. Our business depends on us being a worthwhile, relevant, accurate news source. So, yes, these stories sell papers -- and for good reason! If you have a critique or correction to my story, please let me know rather than broadly criticizing "The Media." I happily "sell papers" with good information.
If you think I've exaggerated about the incidents, go to the State Department's description of the home invasion in this bulletin: "In a separate incident, vacationers, many of whom were U.S. citizens, were victims of a home invasion during which adults and children were held at gunpoint while the house was robbed and a woman was sexually assaulted." In a SEPARATE INCIDENT, there was a "home invasion and assault that left a U.S. citizen severely injured" — i.e. there have been two home invasions affecting U.S. citizens in RP in the last four months.
Awaiting your calls and emails ;-) .... Tim, aka Señor Reporter [email protected] ; 520-807-8427
I'd like to think Tim's private message box is now so full of inside tips and leads that he no longer has time to read through the rants he's getting here.
And I seriously doubt he's cutting and pasting what he's seen in this thread.
I'd like very much to know what really happened, and I'm sure I'm not alone.
