U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali

[DavidMN]

[This message has been edited by DavidMN]

He was a biologist and a long time resident. Scroll to the bottom of the article to view the comments by readers from around the globe. It sounds like he was well known and well respected.

http://elpais-cali.terra.com.co/paisonline/calionline/notas/Junio062005/alberico.html

[Kiltboy1]

... in response to U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by DavidMN on Jun 7, 2005

It is just a shame that this happened. I spoke to a friend of mine in cali yesterday and she had heard about it and all she could say was" more bad news for my city, we are in deep trouble here" and she said that no one she knows would take that kind of money out of an ATM or Bank without many friends/family  escorting them. Too bad really, but i have a friend that works in gang Control for the Chicago Police department and he and a group of his peers were sent to cali to train the police there on street crime and gang violence because they have one of the highest rates of street crime of any city in colombia. I always feel  strange taking money from an ATM as i watch people looking at me. Even in high profile places , it is a bit scary. Like the other posters said, NEVER LET YOUR GUARD DOWN ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

I hope this tragic death will at the least open some nieve peoples eyes to the dangers that lurk in a country with a history of lawless violenceand to watch yourself all the time, because they are watching you. Uribe has done wonders, but the fact remains that it is still a poor country with corrupt police and people willing to kill for  20 bucks

[Hoda]

... in response to Re: U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by Kiltboy1 on Jun 8, 2005


in regards to what he saw and/or how things went with the training?

thanks...

[Kiltboy1]

... in response to KB...is there any follow up from your fr..., posted by Hoda on Jun 8, 2005

Hoda

He was there about 3 years ago when things were a little worse then now, but the main thing he saw was that the police were just to undermaned to handle all the crime and that the budget sent more Police to orher areas deemed " more desirable" , meaning Medellin and Bogota. He has been back 3 times since and the last time he was there about 6 months ago, he was walking to an ATM when a guy held up the customer with a Gun and even he scattered. he says that they are punks just like the chicago punks and are not beyond  murder if pushed into a corner.

[Dr Aaron]

... in response to U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by DavidMN on Jun 7, 2005

[This message has been edited by Dr Aaron]

.

[Pete E]

... in response to I find this to be very unfortunate. I ac..., posted by Dr Aaron on Jun 7, 2005

Hey Aaron,
Glad you still follow here.Sorry about all the negative  stuff.

Pete

[Gringo Loco]

... in response to U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by DavidMN on Jun 7, 2005

All I can say to this is I have been to 8 different countries. I worked with a guy who had been to 32 different countries and he always told me never to get comfortable, never start a routine, carry money in 2 pockets never walk alone, use a driver you know you can trust. Even change hotels regularly. This way no one can keep tabs on you.

Just a little useful info. Turok can tell you what happened on our first trip to Barranquilla. And how we handled it.

No matter what this is always going to happen. I don't live my life in fear at all. We could die anywhere any place any time. But I do practice safe travel as often as possible. I also never discuss my plans with everyone. Only the people who need to know.

Sincere Regards,

Michael Hurles
www.yourlatinwife.com

[Brazilophile]

... in response to U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by DavidMN on Jun 7, 2005

I heard about an America professor of something being kidnapped and killed in Bogota.  He had taught at a Bogota university for 20 years.  He had an Hispanic name so I don't know if he was a Colombian-born naturalized US citizen or a native born ex-patriot.

Is this the same case with a confusion of cities or two different cases?

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by Brazilophile on Jun 7, 2005

This is definetly Cali,read the article.

Pete

[Pete E]

... in response to U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by DavidMN on Jun 7, 2005

First US citizen I remember getting killed in Colombia,but I'm sure there were others,particularly in the oilfield areas.
This guy was basically a Colombian but the scary thing is it was in Cali in Ingenio,a strata 6 barrio,or near it.No other details I could get out of that article.
Just goes to show its a BAD idea to ever use an ATM except in a bank or in a mall.I almost always use the ATM's in Chipi Chapi,but I have used them on the street before.My own bank about 8 blocks from here  has an ATM kiosk on a street corner.I have used it maybe 6 times.The one next to the Olypica market on Avenida Sexta maybe 12 times.That was the scene of my credit card fraud so I should skip that,although they apparently had it rigged before and not now.
Life is different in Cali.There are alot more people who will kill you for a few pesos.

Pete

[CaliBound]

... in response to Re: U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in Cali, posted by Pete E on Jun 7, 2005

The professor went to the bank and withdrew 5 million pesos (about $2200.00 USD). He took a cab home and was intercepted by two guys on a motorcycle. The professor refused to give up the money and was shot on the head. He lost his life and they took the money anyway. That tells you to give up the money or you will lose your life ... and the money!

This is something that happens daily in Colombia; when you withdraw large sums of money, the crooks are waiting for you and will follow you home. It just happened to my friend and her father. They withdrew money and the crooks were waiting for them outside their house.

About 90% of these robberies are done with the help of bank employees. The police already know were to start the investigation; with the bank employees. These people will be caught soon.

- Frank -

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: Re: U.S. citizen murdered at ATM in ..., posted by CaliBound on Jun 7, 2005

Frank,
Sounds like more imformation than un the El Pais artical.It was not an ATM.
This makes some sense,nobody knows you took alot of money at an ATM unless they watch you.I often take the  max my US bank will allow
$1000,about 2,300,000.I always do that at chipi chapi and look to see if anybody is watching.I never head right for the taxis but usually go shopping in Ley first then grab a taxi inside the chipi chapi parking lot.I have heard of people being followed but it never happened to me.
My ex girlfriend had a friend killed a year ago.He went to a bank in  
Jarmondy,drew out 14,000,000 to buy a taxi.Some guys were waiting outside the bank,said give me the money,he said no,they killed him .He was set up,either by the guy he was going to buy the taxi from or bank employes.Its agaist the law to use a cell phone in a bank,but probably the employess called out on a bank phone.I hope they catch them.That kind of BS we don't need here.But it shows what people will do for money where it is so hard to come by.
And of course,just give them the money.This kind pof criminal will not hesitate to kill you.Kind of dumb for a smart guy not to do that.
Maybe him being as high profile as he was will bring about a change.

Pete