Don't have time to write a lot, Spanish classes start here in PV today (Friday) but I want to get this out. I'll add updates as they become available and I feel up to it!
Meanwhile, this is what I posted on RV.NET (other that a bit of minor editing) then few photos of the Jeep and getaway vehicle.
On Tuesday, enroute from Ziahuatanejo towards Puerto Vallarta on the 200 we lost our Jeep to a holdup.
We were just north of Coleta de Campos on the 200 when we were overtaken by a fast moving red Toyota Tacoma pickup. We remarked on the idiot passing so close to a sharp curve.
A few minutes later, near at a guess KM 79, we came across the truck stopped in our lane, the front end partially in the other lane. The driver waving his arms and signaling me to stop. As I stopped, I saw another young man running from the brush to my left. There was wide clear space on that side of the road with a narrow road or track leading into the bush.
This second man ran up to the drivers side and pointed a small automatic pistol at my face, yelling "the Jeep, just the Jeep. No hurt you." Then he began yelling "atras, atras" back up, back up. I was able reverse a short distance, then I was instructed to turn around. As I turned towards the wide space he indicated that I drive up the narrow track. I was not about to get out of sight of any traffic that may come along. I said that the motorhome wasn't able to get up there and continued my turn until I was parallel the highway facing back the way we had come. He then ordered me out
He came around to the entrance door as I was getting out and noticed the camera in my wife's lap which he immediately demanded.
We then went to the back of the motorhome and began to disconnect the Jeep. He was pulling on anything and everything and not getting very far, yelling all the time, "rapido! rapido".
I doubt that he had realised what was required until I got started, especially when he saw the brake system in the Jeep. I worked as slowly as possible while trying to appear cooperative and hurrying. Not taking a step without leaning on my cane led to the authenticity!
Finally they took off the way they had come. I quickly got back in the rig, turned around and set off north. Then my quick thinking wife told me that she had used her small pocket camera to take a couple of photos of the red pickup and the jeep as they left the scene:
I looked at my watch: 1:00 PM. There had been NO passing traffic during this time. This is not a busy highway.
Now we went looking for the police! A few minutes later we passed the 80KM marker.
At the first town, we asked someone where the nearest police were, that we had been heldup and our jeep stolen. The told us to stay where we were and they would go and find it! Nice thought but it wasn't going to happen! They then asked if we wanted to back to Caleto de Campos! NOT, so we carried on north.
Our next stop was at the RV Park at KM 103.5 where we gave our news to one of the campers who told us that there had been a road block by the defensa civil (local vigilantes). We had planned to overnight here in this lovely spot but had more urgent things to attend to.
We returned to the highway where we soon came across a Military group set up at the road side. We were waved on but stopped to tell our story. They appeared unsure as to what to do and told us we had to go to some unpronounceable place far to the north.
Shortly after that we too came to the Defensa checkpoint. When we told our story, one went off for a town official. They took a detailed statement, copied the pictures my wife had taken and expressed regret that this type of "disrespect" was so common. They also assured us that they were going to go look for it.
We were told that we needed to make a report to a Ministerio Publico and that the nearest police was at La Placita. This was quite a distance.
At La Placita we stopped at the taxi stand in town to ask directions to the police. When we explained what we had happened we were directed to the Ministerio Publico office across the square. We were invited to park at the taxi stand!
In a word: Closed. We returned to the taxi stand and were told that the Federales were a back a very short way, opposite the Pemex.
Finally! A Cop! We made a verbal report, he took pictures of the photos we had on the computer and were told we had to go to the Misisterio Publico in town for an official report. When we said they were closed the officer got on the radio to the Comandante. We would come and talk to us "horita". We asked if we could overnight at the Pemex and would it be save. We were assured that we would be fine. Just as well as we were a long way from a campground!
Later the Comandante came to interview us and made arrangements for the Ministerio Publico in Cohuayna to see us next day.
It took two hours to finish our statement at the misisterio Publico. While there Gillian realised that we had not yet notified Qualitas, the insurance company! she made that phone call and arranged for an adjuster to meet us in Puerto Vallarty next evening.
We left the office at 1:00 PM, through Melaque at 3:30 and decided to press on to PV. We know the route well and were sure we could get very close at least by sundown. We were parked in a lane in Puerta Vallarta Trailer Park at 7:30PM , deciding to wait for daylight before reversing between the trees into our site.
The adjuster arrived 10 minutes before the appointed time and things went very well. We thought. Now, several days later we realise this is not going to be easy.
Note: DO NOT keep the original vehicle documents in the vehicle! They went with the Jeep! Fortunately we had a copy of the Mexican insurance policy on the laptop. And since we deal with a broker for all our insurance needs at home we are known to them. A call on Skype had our homeowners police notified AND a copy of our British Columbia vehicle registration e-mailed to us with 15 minutes of the request!
Now it's time for a drink.
This was random act of opportunity. This is our 12th year of RVing in Mexico and our first incident. (Other than 11 years ago when a couple of drunk kids ripped the mirrors off our Chevy Tracker parked overnight on the street.)
We will be returning to Mexico in the fall, maybe not just this route!. Meanwhile, I have Spanish homework to do and that drink is still waiting.
Here are a few more photos of the Jeep.
Note the Roadmaster All Terrain towbar. The Jeep had the soft top on.
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