Guadalajara -
The police chief of Puerto Vallarta escaped injury this morning when a heavily armed assault team launched a grenade and machine gun attack against his armored vehicle, while he was on his way to work in that city.
Roberto Rodríguez Preciado and his two escorts walked away unscathed. Five passersby were hit by shrapnel from the fragmentation grenades, and a car on the street was destroyed.
State police and military contingents responded to the scene in minutes, local news sources reported.
Puerto Vallarta is a major tourist resort of 260,000 people, due west of Guadalajara. In recent months the city has increasingly felt the effects of Mexico's 70 month drug war, launched in December 2006.
Police say that at least three unknown assailants roadblocked the chief's armored Suburban and lobbed several grenades at it. When the engine died and it stalled in the middle of the street, they riddled the Suburban with machine gun fire. They then fled in a pickup truck.
Terrified locals reported hearing the staccato bursts of automatic weapons blocks away.
The gunmen's vehicle was founded abandoned soon after. It contained an AK-47, a hand grenade and multiple rounds of 7.62 ammunition, a rifle cartridge commonly used by the U.S. military and armed forces of other nations. Although authorities assured residents and tourists that Puerto Vallarta and its immediate environs are safe, the city remained under heavy security this evening.
Oct. 16 - Los Zetas strike Puerto Vallarta
Oct. 20 - Puerto Vallarta police chief resigns
Jan. 22, 2013 - Puerto Vallarta: tensions linger after brazen narco attack
June 20, 2013 - Puerto Vallarta sweats through the dog days of summer
More photos, and a Milenio summary of events: Atacan a director de la policía de Puerto Vallarta.
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A website originating in PV is reporting the Zetas have claimed responsibility for the attack. They claim banners have been placed by the Zetas at major locations throughout the city. Can this be confirmed?
ReplyDeleteyes the zetas hung a sign on a bridge that stated to the chief of people. remember the deals you made with us.
DeleteAnd they said it would NEVER happen In P.V.
ReplyDeleteThey should do what the Israelis do with the families of suicide bombers to these low lifes....confiscate all their family assets and bulldoze their homes.
ReplyDeleteSo what your saying is...the Jews are right in their actions? Two completely different and unrelated situations. Stick to the topic or don't bother posting. Obviously the new police commander is making a stand, getting rid of internal corruption and narco sympathizers.
DeleteThe topic is crime Bud.....92% of which goes unreported and what is reported 92% is unsolved.
DeletePoint is til the narcos fear loss they will do as they please. I hope you're right about the new commandante....But it should be mentioned he is from a precint of Gld they is legendary for it level of corruption.
Don't bother posting......please
go chief rodriquez--thanks for staying to fight these thugs..p.v. needs a strong police force
ReplyDeleteZETAS---AND ALL YOU OTHER DRUG DEALERS--GET OUT OF OUR TOWN ..YOU ARE TRASH AND YOU MAKE OUR TOWN SMELL///YOU ARE LIKE RATS ON THE STREET..
ReplyDelete