A man was arrested Thursday evening after allegedly carjacking a California-registered vehicle in a rural town, said the
Municipal Public Safety Department.
Authorities said at 4:45 p.m. a 23-year-old woman identified as Karina told police agents that the suspect pulled her
from her green 1995 Honda Accord with California plates across the Mexican Institute of Social Security clinic at Ciudad
Morelos town.
The victim told authorities the suspect left on the vehicle towards Colonia La Panga.
The suspect, who was identified as Alberto, 32, was later found, arrested by police officers and transported to the
police headquarters to begin his processing.
El Centro man arrested
A 21-year-old El Centro resident who had an arrest warrant was arrested by state police officers in
downtown Mexicali, said the state Secretary of Public Safety.
Authorities said Leopoldo Antonio was arrested Thursday at Reforma Avenue after a women told State
Preventive Police agents that she was emotionally affected after being verbally assaulted by the suspect.
Police officers found the suspect who tried to flee on foot, but was arrested blocks ahead.
Police agents sent an inquiry at the emergency center regarding the suspects identity that resulted in
the discovery of the arrest warrant for sexual abuse against a minor of less than 14 years old.
Vandalism reduced on winter break
A school and a public safety official said vandalism and burglaries in Mexicali schools observed a
reduction during the winter break of this year, compared to the same period of last year.
Mexicali Police Chief Alejandro Monreal said eight cases were reported to authorities during the
December 21-January 6 period.
Of those cases, three were reported as equipment burglaries and the rest trespassing and vandalism.
Noriega said 10 suspects were arrested in connection to the incidents.
The cases were reported in some of Mexicali’s neighborhoods with the highest crime rates like Pueblo
Nuevo, Baja California, Orizaba and Valle de Puebla.
He said residents’ reporting of cases and a joint effort of state and local authorities led to the results.
State Education System Director in Mexicali Alejandro Bahena said every school break authorities
have observed a reduction of crimes thanks to an increased patrolling of schools.
Lawmaker regrets salary increases
A state lawmaker criticized members of the Elections Council for the salary increased they gave
themselves and who later said elections were in jeopardy due to lack of funds.
Assemblyman Cuauhtémoc Cardona –a National Action Party member from Tijuana- asked the State
Electoral Council -IEEBC in Spanish- commissioners to either resign or reduce money delivered to
political parties in order to spend budget appropriately.
Recently, commissioners asked additional funds from the Assembly and the State Government, given
the upcoming midterm elections were in risk for lack of resources.
“I do not agree with the salary increase,” Cardona said. “I am not in agreement with the additional
funds request with resources misspent and with their threats by saying elections are not guaranteed for
this year.”
He added election commissioners have not behaved seriously and prudently, especially Chairman
Javier Garay, who is not bringing tranquility through his comments.
Cardona lamented autonomous agencies like the Electoral Council are financially independent,
meaning the Legislature cannot predetermine where the monies are to be spent.
However, he said in case of additional funds lawmakers can ask for specific information regarding
these resources in order to avoid salary increases and unnecessary expenditures.
Lawmaker introduces transparency bill
A state lawmaker introduced a bill Thursday that, if enacted, will mandate internal auditors to make
follow-ups to requests of information made by citizens and journalists.
Assemblywoman Cynthia Ruiz –a Institutional Revolutionary Party member of Mexicali- made a
proposal to reform the State Transparency and Access of Information Law, which was turned to the
Government, Legislation and Constitutional Affairs Commission.
The measure will allow the Transparency and Information Institute to determine any potential legal
violations by public servants who turn requests to this agency in order to evade a proper answer.
“No more responses with the intention to delay the delivery of information without justifying a
motivation for the delay,” she said. “It must be understood that transparency is an obligation and the
agency in charge must decide whether or not there is responsibility from public servants.”
According to the lawmaker, the Transparency Institute has received 458 appeals related to the
information requests made by those who are not in agreement with the response received by public
agencies.
Information requests are being delayed with no justification by public officials who give answers with
non-existing, confusing or differing topic information.
“This is not a simple petition, given we are constitutionally obligated to comply with the law,” Ruiz said.
The bill provides a requirement for the transparency institute to file claims before agencies’ internal
auditors against law violators.
