## Surge of Motorcycle Hitmen: A Growing Threat in Tijuana
**Tijuana, 2024** — In the first four months from May to August 2024, Tijuana has witnessed an alarming rise in the number of murders and injuries perpetrated by criminals using motorcycles. During this period, 14 individuals have been killed and an additional 20 injured by hitmen who track, chase, and attack their targets using motorcycles.
This spike in crime is occurring in a city and state where motorcyclists operate with total impunity. They often ride along the shoulder lines, weave between cars, and ignore traffic lanes without facing any stops or fines.
Despite the high number of armed attacks and the mobility threats posed by these criminals, the presence of motorcycle hitmen has not been factored into security analyses or the formulation of strategies by the authorities in Baja California’s Coordination Table for Peace and Security.
Data on crimes committed by criminals using motorcycles is not available. Investigators have reported that in 70% to 80% of these armed attacks, the perpetrators use stolen motorcycles and abandon them after committing the crimes. Requests for statistics on stolen and recovered motorcycles this year were met with general vehicle theft data, with 6,786 auto theft cases — 691 with violence and 6,095 without — between January and July 2024.
**PREVALENCE AMONG CARTELS**
Investigators working on the security table have confirmed that all major cartels, including Sinaloa, Jalisco, and the Arellano cartel, employ motorcycle hitmen throughout the city, predominantly in the outskirts. The central area and specific neighborhoods such as Santa Fe and San Antonio de Los Buenos have seen the most attacks, followed by La Presa and Mariano Matamoros.
**ARRESTS AND CHALLENGES**
So far, Tijuana’s Municipal Police have only apprehended seven suspected killers out of 34 crimes in 2024, with detailed information available for just three arrests. The State’s Prosecutor’s Office reported only one apprehension:
1. **Leonardo Martínez Rodríguez and Jorge Diaz Bol** were arrested on July 21 after an armed attack in Zona Norte. Despite being found with weapons and a motorcycle, they were only presented to the federal attorney for illegal weapon possession.
2. **Mario Cisneros** was apprehended on June 30 after participating in an assault in Zona Centro, during which a woman was attacked.
3. **Jesús García and Osvaldo Fuentes** were arrested after assaulting a San Diego resident in Zona Centro on June 20. Fuentes had a prior arrest warrant for injuries.
**ONGOING CASES**
Significant unresolved cases include the murder of Néstor Castañeda Núñez and Sergio Quiroz Villa. In Castañeda’s case, he and his wife have not been located, possibly due to the injuries inflicted.
Several other attacks remain unresolved, including a double attack on José Hernández Hernández, ultimately resulting in his death on June 22. Multiple unresolved incidents involve unknown assailants using motorcycles and remain unsolved.
**NEED FOR REGULATIONS**
Criminals’ use of motorcycle helmets disguises their identities, and their modus operandi often involves two perpetrators: one driving and one shooting. Unlike Colombia and Peru, which have introduced restrictions on motorcycles in high-crime areas, Baja California’s regulations still permit motorcycle passengers without substantial checks, facilitating these crimes.
Authorities are urged to enforce stricter control measures on motorcycle sales and circulation to combat this rising threat.
—
### Related News: Increase in Shootings Across Mexico
Recent months have seen an uptick in armed confrontations across Mexico, with significant incidents reported in various cities:
1. **Culiacán** experienced a series of armed conflicts, raising concerns about the city’s safety. The local governor has downplayed the events, while national authorities remain uninformed about specifics.
2. **Economic Shift**: Mexico has observed a slight drop in inflation, reaching 4.99% in August 2024, breaking a five-month streak of continuous rises.
3. **Political Developments**: Claudia Sheinbaum has confirmed her residence in Palacio Nacional, following in the footsteps of the previous administration. Additionally, the president’s son, Andy Jr., expressed intentions of pursuing a leadership role within the party.
These broader national issues underline the pervasive sense of insecurity and the pressing need for effective measures to curtail violence and stabilize the region.
For the latest updates and in-depth investigations, continue visiting TJGringo.com.