Ok folks, here is my story on what happened to me in San Jose de las matas ;ast night and the lesson learned:
I was invited to go up to San jose de las matas for dinner at a friend's house and also to join them in the local town festival (patronales). San Jose de las matas is located 30 mins from santiago, up on the mountians. We all went there along with friends from the PPH party (government), 2 body guards etc. The dinner was lousy and the food was cold. Then the host's son invited us to go to town square to see the live band which was playing in the festival. Upon arrival I knew I was in the wrong place. It was swamped by tigres, street thugs and young shady looking characters. There were no sweet looking Rubias to be seen anywhere. All girls were very young and of lower socio-economical level. There were just too many people everywhere. When I mentioned my displeasure and concerns to my friend, I was told not to worry becuase we were with 2 body guards and I was assured that no one would touch me or even come close to me. After 2 hours i had enough of the festival and the chopo music which was being played at sub-human volume level. I demanded that we all leave or I would leave solo. This ultimatum got me their attention. As we reached our cars I noticed that my door lock was open. Then I realized that my car had been broken into. Then the shocker, my newly installed CD player with Mp3 playing capabilities was gone. Not to mention they had ripped open my dash board, pulled electrical wires and left me with a huge mess. Then they had opened up my trunk and stole many goods from there as well. I immediately notified my friends in the car up front. At the mention of my account hell broke loose. The guns were pulled out and people started to move away from us rapidly. of course, the robbers weren't going to wait around for the consequences. I asked to go to police station immediately instead of taking matters into our own hands.
When the police was notified and also when they found out that important people of the PPH party were involved, a raid squad was sent out with military and police units. I went with them.
They simply went around in the festival and started picking up shady characters. I mean no questions asked and people were thrown into cars and taken away. Motorconcho drivers were pulled off from their bikes and taken in. In the process one tried to flee and ran over a military undercover personnal. Needless to say he got his ass whipped by several guys. I would hate to see what would happen to him over night in jail. Within 45 minutes the whole town was empty of all the tigres. About 25 guys got arrested and the rest simply took off. many were selling drugs and some were stealers. No one knew what the raid was all about so everyone went running to take cover from the police.
Then later the police stationed was stormed by the relatives of people who were arrested. Pleading and begging them to let go of their loved ones. I felt sorry for the guys who were unfairly taken in by force. I mean guys were slapped and punched while they were being arrested. I asked the police to let the few ones go who didn't fit the profile. They seemed 100% innocent. To my disappointment, I was told to stay clear of the police business as it has already been set into motion. I was told that some of them will talk duing the investigation and they will lead them to the original criminals. I was told by my friend that some will be beaten up until they would be compelled to give out information. Many friends seemed confident that my radio will be found by today. I was also told that usually in festivals like these, many robbers come from out of town to steal there. In that case I can kiss my stereo goodbye.
I spent a good portion of the night at the police station and almost didn't sleep the whole night thinking of the fate of the imprisoned tigres. I would hate to think they were being tortured and beaten for a car stereo especially if they are not the guilty ones. Then again, this is the way things are done in DR.
The lesson learned is simple:
Stay away from local (Patronales) festivals or chopo free concerts. There you would be looking for trouble, pick pocket etc.
Lesson #2: this is the most important one. Stay away from people who are suspected of being involved in shady business. When they pick up the usual suspects, (Guess what) you will be picked up with them. Thats why I stay away from people who are suspected of using drugs or being involved in questionable behavior. DR police doesn't show mercy at such criminals.
I don't think I will see my stereo again but I have learned a valuable lesson. next time I will be more careful.
I was invited to go up to San jose de las matas for dinner at a friend's house and also to join them in the local town festival (patronales). San Jose de las matas is located 30 mins from santiago, up on the mountians. We all went there along with friends from the PPH party (government), 2 body guards etc. The dinner was lousy and the food was cold. Then the host's son invited us to go to town square to see the live band which was playing in the festival. Upon arrival I knew I was in the wrong place. It was swamped by tigres, street thugs and young shady looking characters. There were no sweet looking Rubias to be seen anywhere. All girls were very young and of lower socio-economical level. There were just too many people everywhere. When I mentioned my displeasure and concerns to my friend, I was told not to worry becuase we were with 2 body guards and I was assured that no one would touch me or even come close to me. After 2 hours i had enough of the festival and the chopo music which was being played at sub-human volume level. I demanded that we all leave or I would leave solo. This ultimatum got me their attention. As we reached our cars I noticed that my door lock was open. Then I realized that my car had been broken into. Then the shocker, my newly installed CD player with Mp3 playing capabilities was gone. Not to mention they had ripped open my dash board, pulled electrical wires and left me with a huge mess. Then they had opened up my trunk and stole many goods from there as well. I immediately notified my friends in the car up front. At the mention of my account hell broke loose. The guns were pulled out and people started to move away from us rapidly. of course, the robbers weren't going to wait around for the consequences. I asked to go to police station immediately instead of taking matters into our own hands.
When the police was notified and also when they found out that important people of the PPH party were involved, a raid squad was sent out with military and police units. I went with them.
They simply went around in the festival and started picking up shady characters. I mean no questions asked and people were thrown into cars and taken away. Motorconcho drivers were pulled off from their bikes and taken in. In the process one tried to flee and ran over a military undercover personnal. Needless to say he got his ass whipped by several guys. I would hate to see what would happen to him over night in jail. Within 45 minutes the whole town was empty of all the tigres. About 25 guys got arrested and the rest simply took off. many were selling drugs and some were stealers. No one knew what the raid was all about so everyone went running to take cover from the police.
Then later the police stationed was stormed by the relatives of people who were arrested. Pleading and begging them to let go of their loved ones. I felt sorry for the guys who were unfairly taken in by force. I mean guys were slapped and punched while they were being arrested. I asked the police to let the few ones go who didn't fit the profile. They seemed 100% innocent. To my disappointment, I was told to stay clear of the police business as it has already been set into motion. I was told that some of them will talk duing the investigation and they will lead them to the original criminals. I was told by my friend that some will be beaten up until they would be compelled to give out information. Many friends seemed confident that my radio will be found by today. I was also told that usually in festivals like these, many robbers come from out of town to steal there. In that case I can kiss my stereo goodbye.
I spent a good portion of the night at the police station and almost didn't sleep the whole night thinking of the fate of the imprisoned tigres. I would hate to think they were being tortured and beaten for a car stereo especially if they are not the guilty ones. Then again, this is the way things are done in DR.
The lesson learned is simple:
Stay away from local (Patronales) festivals or chopo free concerts. There you would be looking for trouble, pick pocket etc.
Lesson #2: this is the most important one. Stay away from people who are suspected of being involved in shady business. When they pick up the usual suspects, (Guess what) you will be picked up with them. Thats why I stay away from people who are suspected of using drugs or being involved in questionable behavior. DR police doesn't show mercy at such criminals.
I don't think I will see my stereo again but I have learned a valuable lesson. next time I will be more careful.