Rosarito Police Station Attacked
Heavily armed Commandos
BY ALBERTO CAPONE
A commando squad armed with assault rifles attacked the
Rosarito Police Station last week, in an attempt to assassinate the newly
installed Police Chief. The assailants suddenly arrived in four trucks, ran into
the station, and opened fire. The commandos penetrated into the inside office of
the police chief, but fortunately he was not there. The police managed to fend
off the attack, but two police officers died and two civilians were wounded in
the incident.
Inside the police station, the walls and interior were full
of bullet holes. The attack evidently was aimed at the police chief, because his
interior office was completely destroyed. After the shoot out, the commandos
boarded the four vehicles and escaped, abandoning the autos nearby. Inside the
autos, investigators found two empty .223 cartridges and other assault items.
Also recovered were 30 .223 cartridges, 100 of caliber 7.2 and 23 9mm
cartridges.
Funeral services with full honors were performed at City Hall
for the two fallen police officers, Guillermo Castro Corona, and Leonel Pizana
Trip, who were both bodyguards for the police chief. City officials claimed that
the attacks occurred in retaliation for recent crime crackdowns by the new
Administration, although the new officials only took office on December 1.
Numerous tourist groups have cancelled plans to visit Baja because of the
incident.
The latest attack is not the first time that Rosarito police
have been targeted by organized crime. A few years ago, Rosarito Police Chief
Carlos Bowser was assassinated as he exited his home in the morning by a
squadron of assailants. Later, two Rosarito police officers were beheaded when
they attempted to investigate a party being held by arrested drug kingpin Javier
Arrello Felix in the hills behind Rosarito. Many commentators believe that the
latest attack is an attempt by organized crime to show the new City
Administration who is in charge of Rosarito.
Because of this assault and also because of carjacking reports in the US
press, Rosarito police have set up a number of checkpoints and security
operations in Rosarito and along the toll road during the holidays. Expect
increased vigilance and police activity into the new year.
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