Eagle Passans Kidnapped and Rescued in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico

By: Miguel Munoz, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2018

Maverick County Sheriff Tom Schmerber reported that two Eagle Passans were kidnapped and rescued on Saturday, November 24, 2018, in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico while visiting the United States-Mexico border community.

Mexican law enforcement authorities received an emergency telephone call at approximately 1 A.M. on Saturday, November 24th, that a group of armed men had kidnapped two men and one woman in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. Mexican authorities located the house in which these three kidnapped individuals were being detained at approximately 4 A.M. on Saturday, November 24th, launching a rescue operation.

Two Eagle Passans, David Gutierrez, age 29, and Sarai Gutierrez, age 27, were rescued but not before a firefight ensued that injured David Gutierrez with two bullet wounds, one to his neck and another to his upper shoulder/arm, but unfortunately a third kidnap victim whose name remains unknown as of press time and an American citizen was killed by gunfire in the kidnapping.

David Gutierrez and Sarai Gutierrez are members of a prominent Eagle Pass family that owns and operates a restaurant in the community on El Indio Highway (FM 1021).

David Gutierrez was transferred by the Mexican Red Cross to the Eagle Pass International Bridge No. 2 for transportation to the Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center to receive emergency medical treatment due to his serious injuries.  David Gutierrez was subsequently transferred to a medical center in San Antonio, Texas for specialized medical services due to the serious injuries sustained.  Gutierrez remains in critical condition at the San Antonio medical center.

Sheriff Tom Schmerber reported that Mexican authorities are investigating the kidnapping in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico and offered his Maverick County Sheriff’s Department as a place where Mexican authorities can interview the Eagle Pass kidnapping victims in the future.

Sheriff Tom Schmerber noted that the Maverick County Sheriff’s Department has a joint collaborative agreement with Mexican authorities to assist each other with these type of criminal investigations.

Sheriff Tom Schmerber cautioned Eagle Passans and American citizens to be careful and stay alert while visiting Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico for personal and business purposes.