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Bus robbery story

A couple of weeks ago a friend was travelling on an early morning bus from Barranquilla to Monteria. The bus was full. Just after leaving the outskirts a couple of girls overheard something, became suspicious and told the driver. He called ahead for an army check. The army came and took all the males off the bus seached them and checked documents. All in order the bus carried on for half an hour when the 3 guys and a woman who were all sitting in different places appeared with guns and got the driver to turn off where all were relieved of their wallets, watches phones etc. The ladrones carted off their stuff and the bus had to spend a while reversing back up the track. During the relieving exercise they made it clear not to look at their faces or they would be shot. It might be a good idea to look up the Spanish for that expression if a foreigner with poor grasp. Many of these types wont hesitate.
Which reminds me on my previous visit 12 years ago our bus was held up but as it was on a downslope when one of the gun-toters rounded the bus to enter the driver released the clutch and off we sped though a guy across the aisle got up to look out and was promptly shot through the head. Survived but wheelchair. It was dark and they wore balaclavas.

By tomass on Dec 2, 2006, 13:05 in Friendly Talkzone.

Boatygringo says on Dec 3, 2006, 10:20:

Bus Robbery It can happen in the city too. My buddies mom was on a city bus in Cartagena about a month ago when some one pulled a gun and releaved every on of there cash jewelry and cell phones. , Boatygringo

Boatygringo

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utopiacowboy says on Dec 3, 2006, 12:11:

It's not uncommon. City buses get hijacked in broad daylight in Medellin as well.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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poco says on Dec 3, 2006, 12:56:

Relieved of my Money I too have a sad tale,, I decided to give my money to someone who does something useful for a living (ie: works,, hard to find that kind of person in most parts of the world).

My money is gone but I have a new ceiling.

I think he was a Muslimani because he had his face covered and a headdress,,, Those darn Muslimani's have taken over the convenience store business in the U.S. and now ceiling installations in Colombia,,,

"When you men get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." Quote - General Tommy Franks

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tomass says on Dec 3, 2006, 15:38:

hey pocito - thats a good one. Took me a while to figure it out - you have it in for these guys Right - but i do feel the fella that relieved you was a monster and darn well shoulda payed four eeeat

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Sam Salmon says on Dec 3, 2006, 18:34:

Something About That Story Doesn't Ring True This sounds like so many stories a person hears over & over & over.

For one thing-the Army suspected a robbery attempt and didn't check everyone for guns?

And the people who heard about the attempt-they stayed on the bus?

I would have been out the fucking door and waiting for the next bus.

I'm not saying it doesn't happen-we all know it does-but this particular story sounds too much like a retread.

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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Miguel_Clavo says on Dec 3, 2006, 21:10:

It started in East LA about 15 years ago, and has finally reached the coast of Colombia......in 15 years, it will be St Petersburg, Russia...

Just my opinion...

Miguel_Clavo...Listo!! Libertad!!!...Colombia es pasión!

"F.A.R.C..S.U.C.K.S"

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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dave_travels says on Dec 4, 2006, 07:43:

wife robbed on bus to Barranquilla On her way to the Shakira concert, my wife took the bus from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. The drivers picked up travellers on the hwy. One of then distracted my wife by saying he "dropped his glasses on the floor...look out for them". The other opened her purse and took her wallet.

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litost says on Dec 4, 2006, 09:08:

The authorities have come up with several strategies to try to minimize the risk of this kind of robbery. On some of my last trips by bus in august, an employee of the company (Expreso Bolivariano) would get into the bus and videotape everyone's face before the bus takes the road. Somewhat eerie and certainly you feel like they're invading your privacy, but in the end it kinda does make you feel safer that it can deter potential hijackers from following through with their plans. It's also why I recommend using only the best known bus companies and prefering the 'express' service which is faster but most of all doesn't pick up passengers along the way.

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Cerealkiller says on Dec 4, 2006, 09:17:

Many people I know have been robbed inside buses with knives and guns. I just got mugged once and the mofo took my Ipod from jacket pocket, I wasnt even using it I dont know how he saw it, I cried for like 2 days. :(

Conservatives are not necessarily stupid, but most stupid people are conservatives -John Stuart Mill

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juancegomez says on Dec 4, 2006, 09:23:

.... There's always a certain degree of risk, especially when taking buses between cities. Not that much, though it's not unheard of at all, with buses in the same city.

Other factors such as the times and specific routes involved also play a role, and they can be useful in miniziming risks, but it's still ultimately a matter of luck.

As mentioned, I haven't been robbed on a bus yet...I did, however, leave something on a bus once, but that was entirely my own fault and I deserved the mess that resulted from it. So I don't count that as a "robbery" per se.

Also, some relatives recently took a couple of bus rides from Bogotá to Ibagué and didn't have any problems, but again, that's all anecdotic.

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litost says on Dec 4, 2006, 12:01:

Well I have travelled extensively through Colombia by bus, particularly during my university days which happened to coincide with the rough Pastrana times (1998-2002) and never had any problems. Mostly night buses between Bogota and Pereira, nobody was gonna keep me from going home for fresh air and aguardiente Cristal on those long weekends! Safety's been considerably stepped up in recent years so I think that the risk is even lower, but still some degree of risk pretty much like most of the other latinamerican countries. Taking some basic precautions will make it even less unlikely for you to ever find trouble. I say enjoy the scenery!

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gorgonabob says on Dec 4, 2006, 14:25:

i meet a lot of backpackers and out of 2000 or so foreigners travelling in colombia ive talked to in the past year and a half, about 2 had a problem with armed robbery on a bus in colombia... and all of them are taking night buses all over the country.. so the odds arent that bad. one also had there bus burnt by the guerilla during elections but they did not steal anything..

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RJQuilla says on Dec 4, 2006, 21:56:

Santa Marta to Barranquilla I was in Colombia in September and was traveling by bus from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. When we drove up to one of the checkpoints a soldier got onto the bus and informed everyone of a kidnapping and asked if anyone was being held against their will. There are checkpoints it seems like every few miles along the route so that was reassuring. You gotta be on your toes. I know from here on out I will be leaving my wallet at home and only take cash, passport, ID and a credit card. If my wallet was taken I'd be in a pickle.

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litost says on Dec 5, 2006, 01:05:

strobers, I'm talking about buses that go DIRECTLY from point A to point B, without stopping along the way in other cities to pick up passengers. Each company has its own expressions, but to be sure you just have to ask if the journey is 'directo sin parar' (besides stopping for eating of course). Not to say that you're looking for trouble if you get on one of those buses that stops frecuently, but it is relatively safer, more comfortable and quicker. Always prefer the most well known bus companies (also the most expensive usually, but still very reasonable) particularly for long and overnight journeys. Expreso Bolivariano, Berlinas del Fonce, Brasilia, Coopetrans come to mind, their best vehicles are just as comfortable as anything you would find in the US or Europe.

When you mention colectivos and taxis, are you talking about travel from city to city?

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