Saltillo, Coahuila: Unknown Crime Mob Kidnaps National Guardsmen

"Sol Prendido" for Borderland Beat

Video translation is as follows:

Lucero Álvarez: Elements of the National Guard were ambushed by a group of armed individuals. This event happened when they were heading towards the city of Monterrey. After finishing their work shift at the surveillance point of the San Roberto community on Highway 5. The federal agents were kidnapped for 2 days. Time in which they were subjected to all kinds of torture to later be released.

Male Reporter: 2 elements of the National Guard were kidnapped by gunmen who intercepted them on Highway 57 when they were traveling to Monterrey. Detaining them for 2 days inside an unknown safe house somewhere near the San Roberto community.

Where they were tortured in various ways. The nightmare for the officers identified as 28 year old Hector “N”, and 25 year old William “N”. Began Sunday night when they finished their shift and were thus heading to Monterrey on federal highway 57. Where they were intercepted by a group of armed individuals.

The gunmen lowered them out of their vehicles and forced them onboard the trucks they were driving. To later handcuff and blindfold them in order to prevent them from observing where they were going. At the safe house, the thugs also tied their feet and forced them to stay kneeled for 2 days.

Time in which they were victims of constant abuse. According to the officers, the kidnappers remained armed at all times. And they tortured them using sticks and boards, leaving them severely injured. William told authorities that the criminals repeatedly burned his feet.

While they asked him if he worked for a criminal cell in the area. They also indicated that they were watched at all times by a man who was armed. And they refused to provide them with food or drinks.

It was during the early hours that the kidnappers released the officers. Abandoning them on a dirt road near the San Roberto community. In the municipality of Galeana, the officers of the Highways Division walked several kilometers to the Santa Elena community where they asked for help.

After being evaluated by paramedics from San Roberto they decided to take them to the Muguerza hospital. The doctors at the hospital pointed out that Hector has a nasal fracture, a fracture of the middle third of the right humerus and polyconusions in various parts of his body. 

Meanwhile William was diagnosed with head trauma and abdominal trauma. As well as a moderate diagnosis of dehydration.

Along with first degree burns on both feet. Elements from the State Attorney general's office of the anti-kidnapping group gathered at the hospital facilities where they interviewed the officers to open an investigation folder.

At the moment, the Coahuila justice agency is working to determine the location of the safe house where the officers were held. To define whether it was within their jurisdiction or in the state of Nuevo León.

Zócalo