Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

Arabella cruised into El Cid marina April 25, after a leisurely trip
up the coast from Puerto Vallarta. We arrived as a big swell from a
Pacific storm was about to close the harbor for 3 days, so we decided
to put the dinghy into the water for visiting friends a half mile up
the channel in Marina Mazatlan. We were relaxed and feeling very
casual, so never even thought to lock the dinghy up at night. We were
on an end tie, and had it snuggled up behind the bow, tied to the
dock. You guessed it, the second night it disappeared while we were
aboard the boat, just after returning from dinner. Jorge, the El Cid
night watchman, came by in his panga as I was snoozing in the cockpit,
and asked if we had loaned our dinghy to someone. I said no, and he
said he had just seen an inflatable heading out of the harbor full
speed. He was ready to take off in pursuit, but since the harbor was
closed, had to get permission from the Harbormaster before he could do
so. As we tried to raise the Harbormaster on the radio, I made a call
to the fleet on the local hailing frequency, and immediately had an
answer from Mike Wilson on Tortue. It turned out that he, and several
others, had also had dinghies stolen in the past month or two, and he
offered to call the Police, Navy, and Port Captain to make the report.
This was the first dinghy to be snatched from marina El Cid, and
Estevan, head of security, also made the calls. By the time we
decided it would be too dangerous (and most likely futile) to try
crossing the waves breaking clear across the harbor entrance, the
police were arriving and ready to take our report. Everyone was
amazed the thief had actually made it out through that 10' surf in an
inflatable powered by a 6 horsepower engine.
Anyway, thanks to the quick report, and prompt response by the
authorities, the thief was caught by the Navy as he came ashore near
the Fisherman's Monument several miles away. All we had to do was go
to the District Attorney's office the following day, file a statement,
and we would be able to reclaim our dinghy and motor. During the
night he spent in custody, the thief was persuaded to confess to
stealing the other dinghies, and three of them were found at his home.
One was the brand new Caribe and motor that Mike Wilson had lost only
two days after he had bought them.
Mike offered to drive us around and get all the paperwork done at 9:00
am, but "El Cid Estevan" was waiting for us, and he happened to be an
ex policeman who knew everyone we needed to deal with. After three
hours of driving from one government agency to another, eventually we
found our dinghy at the Municipal Police station.
It ended up taking another day before we actually were able to
retrieve the dinghy, and again, Estevan and another El Cid employee
were there to drive and help load the dinghy into the truck. When we
arrived at the station, it turned out the police wanted to display all
the recovered dinghies and motors and have the local newspapers
photograph them with the thief standing handcuffed in front! It was a
classic situation, and worth the extra time it took. The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

good story. Glad they caught the rat.

Scotty


"mike" wrote in message
om...
Arabella cruised into El Cid marina April 25, after a leisurely trip
up the coast from Puerto Vallarta. We arrived as a big swell from a
Pacific storm was about to close the harbor for 3 days, so we decided
to put the dinghy into the water for visiting friends a half mile up
the channel in Marina Mazatlan. We were relaxed and feeling very
casual, so never even thought to lock the dinghy up at night. We were
on an end tie, and had it snuggled up behind the bow, tied to the
dock. You guessed it, the second night it disappeared while we were
aboard the boat, just after returning from dinner. Jorge, the El Cid
night watchman, came by in his panga as I was snoozing in the cockpit,
and asked if we had loaned our dinghy to someone. I said no, and he
said he had just seen an inflatable heading out of the harbor full
speed. He was ready to take off in pursuit, but since the harbor was
closed, had to get permission from the Harbormaster before he could do
so. As we tried to raise the Harbormaster on the radio, I made a call
to the fleet on the local hailing frequency, and immediately had an
answer from Mike Wilson on Tortue. It turned out that he, and several
others, had also had dinghies stolen in the past month or two, and he
offered to call the Police, Navy, and Port Captain to make the report.
This was the first dinghy to be snatched from marina El Cid, and
Estevan, head of security, also made the calls. By the time we
decided it would be too dangerous (and most likely futile) to try
crossing the waves breaking clear across the harbor entrance, the
police were arriving and ready to take our report. Everyone was
amazed the thief had actually made it out through that 10' surf in an
inflatable powered by a 6 horsepower engine.
Anyway, thanks to the quick report, and prompt response by the
authorities, the thief was caught by the Navy as he came ashore near
the Fisherman's Monument several miles away. All we had to do was go
to the District Attorney's office the following day, file a statement,
and we would be able to reclaim our dinghy and motor. During the
night he spent in custody, the thief was persuaded to confess to
stealing the other dinghies, and three of them were found at his home.
One was the brand new Caribe and motor that Mike Wilson had lost only
two days after he had bought them.
Mike offered to drive us around and get all the paperwork done at 9:00
am, but "El Cid Estevan" was waiting for us, and he happened to be an
ex policeman who knew everyone we needed to deal with. After three
hours of driving from one government agency to another, eventually we
found our dinghy at the Municipal Police station.
It ended up taking another day before we actually were able to
retrieve the dinghy, and again, Estevan and another El Cid employee
were there to drive and help load the dinghy into the truck. When we
arrived at the station, it turned out the police wanted to display all
the recovered dinghies and motors and have the local newspapers
photograph them with the thief standing handcuffed in front! It was a
classic situation, and worth the extra time it took. The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

good story. Glad they caught the rat.


Less competition for Scotty the Rat.


RB

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

15 years in jail?

Sounds a little harsh.

mike wrote

classic situation, and worth the extra time it took. The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

Crawl back into your hole slimmy:

Less competition for Scotty the Rat.


RB

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

"Bart Senior" wrote in message . net...
15 years in jail?

Sounds a little harsh.


If it was a kid under 18 then perhaps. If not it sounds just about
right as long as he can not get parolled early.

Joe



mike wrote

classic situation, and worth the extra time it took. The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

Bart Senior wrote:

15 years in jail?

Sounds a little harsh.


Not if you compare it with the life sentences going out to petty thieves under the "Three Strike" laws.

Cheers
Marty

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

Maybe by US standards but this is Mexico. In fact just walking up the
dock this morning one of the local dock hands stopped us to let us
know he thought the guy should get a longer sentence.

Lady B.

Bart Senior wrote:

15 years in jail?

Sounds a little harsh.

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

Heh yeah especially since it is a mexican prison!!
That confession was wrought with many blows Im sure.

Ahab


"Bart Senior" wrote in message
et...
15 years in jail?

Sounds a little harsh.

mike wrote

classic situation, and worth the extra time it took. The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs for
that is pathetic!
rick

On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:10:35 -0400, Scott Vernon
wrote:

good story. Glad they caught the rat.

Scotty
snip.... The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

but you didn't learn anything about inequity of justice did you?
rick




--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

none wrote:
yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs for
that is pathetic!
rick

Yes, he should just be flogged and then released to go back to work. Why
should he lounge around in Mexican jail at taxpayer expense for 15
years? Flogging is over quickly; furthermore, for the rest of his life
the kid will always be reminded by the scars that crime truly does not pay.

DSK

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

none wrote in message ...
yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs for
that is pathetic!
rick


So if he stole from a poor person then would he deserve to be punished?

I hope someone steals something from you today rick.

Joe



On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:10:35 -0400, Scott Vernon
wrote:

good story. Glad they caught the rat.

Scotty
snip.... The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

but you didn't learn anything about inequity of justice did you?
rick

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

"Bart Senior" wrote in message . net...
15 years in jail?

Sounds a little harsh.


It's a good thing he wasent in Honduras. Back in the 80's I worked
with a Captain that kept his shrimp boat in Honduras. On day he was at
the dock and the federalies just caught a boat load of gun smugglers.
They just lined them up on the dock and put a bullit in the head of
each and everyone of them.

Talk about swift effective justice.

Joe


mike wrote

classic situation, and worth the extra time it took. The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

''idle rich''????


"none" wrote in message
...
yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs for
that is pathetic!
rick

On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:10:35 -0400, Scott Vernon
wrote:

good story. Glad they caught the rat.

Scotty
snip.... The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

but you didn't learn anything about inequity of justice did you?
rick




--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

It's all comparative Scott...... they have a boat that they spent their
hard earned money on and were idling at the dock while this poverty stricken
thief is working hard collecting inflatables to sell so he can afford a
sailboat.

I think the USA should adopt the penalty system used in that country.

CM

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
| ''idle rich''????
|
|
| "none" wrote in message
| ...
| yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
| justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs for
| that is pathetic!
| rick
|
| On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:10:35 -0400, Scott Vernon
| wrote:
|
| good story. Glad they caught the rat.
|
| Scotty
| snip.... The thief will
| get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
| of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
| here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
| fishery declines.
| We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
| the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
| at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
| losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
| device!
|
| but you didn't learn anything about inequity of justice did you?
| rick
|
|
|
|
| --
| Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/
|

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

"Joe" wrote in message

| It's a good thing he wasent in Honduras. Back in the 80's I worked
| with a Captain that kept his shrimp boat in Honduras. On day he was at
| the dock and the federalies just caught a boat load of gun smugglers.
| They just lined them up on the dock and put a bullit in the head of
| each and everyone of them.

H-m-m-m-m-m.... imagine the mental health costs for an American subject to
view such a display now a days!!!!

CM

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

I like the old, 'cut a hand off a thief', law.

SV


"Capt. Mooron" wrote in message
...
It's all comparative Scott...... they have a boat that they spent their
hard earned money on and were idling at the dock while this poverty
stricken
thief is working hard collecting inflatables to sell so he can afford a
sailboat.

I think the USA should adopt the penalty system used in that country.

CM

"Scott Vernon" wrote in message
...
| ''idle rich''????
|
|
| "none" wrote in message
| ...
| yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is
really
| justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs
for
| that is pathetic!
| rick
|
| On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:10:35 -0400, Scott Vernon
| wrote:
|
| good story. Glad they caught the rat.
|
| Scotty
| snip.... The thief will
| get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an
example
| of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
| here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
| fishery declines.
| We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire
on
| the morning net whether there are any security concerns when
arriving
| at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
| losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
| device!
|
| but you didn't learn anything about inequity of justice did you?
| rick
|
|
|
|
| --
| Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client:
http://www.opera.com/m2/
|

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

A local college prof. (my wife had her) set herself on fire here a few weeks
back. She felt guilty after seeing the Passion of Christ movie. She went
to a park, behind some bushes, doused herself with gas, and just as she lit
herself, a school bus drove by. The kids were high enough to see her. They
got counselors for them but I would think that scene will haunt a few of
them for some time, eh?

Scotty

"Capt. Mooron" wrote in message
...

"Joe" wrote in message

| It's a good thing he wasent in Honduras. Back in the 80's I worked
| with a Captain that kept his shrimp boat in Honduras. On day he was at
| the dock and the federalies just caught a boat load of gun smugglers.
| They just lined them up on the dock and put a bullit in the head of
| each and everyone of them.

H-m-m-m-m-m.... imagine the mental health costs for an American subject to
view such a display now a days!!!!

CM

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

That is nearly the same penalty as for killing a Kiwi isn't it? I think
they
should have their feet caned and then be released.

Sir Peter Blake's killers had their sentences reduced by a Brazilian court.
The six men convicted of robbing and killing the 53-year-old had their
appeal
heard at the federal court today. The original verdict has been upheld but
an
average of four years has been taken off each sentence. The men now face
between 24 and 32 years in jail.

none wrote

yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs for
that is pathetic!
rick

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

On Sun, 02 May 2004 07:45:23 -0300, something compelled none
, to say:

yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
justice isn't it?

So you'd advocate a Disparity of Wealth clause in the property
crimes code? Is it ok for me to steal from those with more money
than I have? How much more?

Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs for
that is pathetic!

I'll assume you don't really mean that he got fifteen years for
living in poverty. I'll also presume the accused knew, or should
have known, the penalties for his crimes. He made the decision
to commit them in the face of those penalties. Perhaps he should
have moved to Santa Cruz first. They would have fallen all over
themselves in an attempt to *understand* the poor lad.

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

On Mon, 03 May 2004 07:17:16 -0400, DSK wrote:

none wrote:
yeah, and 15 yrs in jail for taking the toys of the idle rich is really
justice isn't it? Get a grip people, they live in poverty and 15 yrs
for that is pathetic!
rick

Yes, he should just be flogged and then released to go back to work. Why
should he lounge around in Mexican jail at taxpayer expense for 15
years? Flogging is over quickly; furthermore, for the rest of his life
the kid will always be reminded by the scars that crime truly does not
pay.

it pays the bush family very well indeed. The Saudi connection is
treasonous which is the highest form of crime.


DSK




--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

On 3 May 2004 07:21:34 -0700, Joe wrote:
you are not very astute to make that incongruous connection.
rick

So if he stole from a poor person then would he deserve to be punished?

I hope someone steals something from you today rick.

Joe



On Wed, 28 Apr 2004 20:10:35 -0400, Scott Vernon
wrote:

good story. Glad they caught the rat.

Scotty
snip.... The thief will
get about 15 years in jail, and they were anxious to make an example
of him. It's a really bad thing to mess with the tourists around
here, since we've become the lifeblood of the place as the shrimp
fishery declines.
We learned a lot from this; primarily that it is smart to inquire on
the morning net whether there are any security concerns when arriving
at a new port, and never get so relaxed and casual that you risk
losing something as important as the ship to shore transportation
device!

but you didn't learn anything about inequity of justice did you?
rick




--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

On Mon, 3 May 2004 12:46:19 -0300, Capt. Mooron
wrote:


"Joe" wrote in message

| It's a good thing he wasent in Honduras. Back in the 80's I worked
| with a Captain that kept his shrimp boat in Honduras. On day he was at
| the dock and the federalies just caught a boat load of gun smugglers.
| They just lined them up on the dock and put a bullit in the head of
| each and everyone of them.

but imagine all the politicians you'd loose if that were the policy in the
US?



--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

the kid will always be reminded by the scars that crime truly does not
pay.


none wrote:
it pays the bush family very well indeed.

That's not crime, that's gov't policy.

DSK

Dinghy Thief Apprehended in Mazatlan (long)
 

read the latest installment of "lifestyles of the idle rich" at
www.sailinglinks.com/notes.htm

mike
s/v Arabella
www.sailinglinks.com


none wrote in message ...
On Mon, 3 May 2004 12:46:19 -0300, Capt. Mooron
wrote:


"Joe" wrote in message

| It's a good thing he wasent in Honduras. Back in the 80's I worked
| with a Captain that kept his shrimp boat in Honduras. On day he was at
| the dock and the federalies just caught a boat load of gun smugglers.
| They just lined them up on the dock and put a bullit in the head of
| each and everyone of them.

but imagine all the politicians you'd loose if that were the policy in the
US?