According to a defense attorney of our acquaintance, there are some bad extranjero boys ripping off local people in Merida. Apparently two men, one of whom says he’s from Italy, stop Yucatecos on the street, and in good Spanish, tell them they have just finished a promotional job for (fill in the blank – department store, hotel, etc.) and have a lot of new merchandise (clothing for women, electronics for men) left over from demos or videos they made. They say they will part with the merchandise for very little money, that it is located in a warehouse, and would the person like to come with them and see it.
Once they have the victim in their car, they pull a gun and rob him. They take cash and jewelry and have been known to take cars as well.
These two have been operating here for about two years and have somehow evaded arrest, although it is well known that they drive a new, red American economy car. Incidents are reported every few months, but others may be unreported.
Bastahds!