Men Armed with AK-47s Hijack Truck in San Juan



Posted: Oct 23, 2012 5:27 PM Updated: Oct 23, 2012 7:43 PM

SAN JUAN - Several men armed with AK-47-type rifles hijacked a semi-tractor trailer on Expressway 83 Friday night in San Juan, officials said.

The men forced the truck driver to pull over. The attack happened in plain view of other drivers, police said.

Calls flooded the San Juan Police Department as drivers reported the incident.

"I'm just calling ... I just saw some people in a truck stop in front of us on Expressway 83 and they had some guns. They were running around the expressway. I don't know what's going on," one caller told the 911 dispatcher.

"You said they have guns?" the operator asked.
"Yes," the caller responded.

The trailer was loaded with avocadoes, officials said. They suspect the big rig also was hauling drugs.

"We haven't connected this case to any cartel-related organization, but it is a cartel-type of assault," San Juan Police Chief Juan Gonzalez said.

The truck was found torched near Mile 17 north of Edinburg. The avocadoes were still in the trailer, but something was taken.

"We suspect that it wasn't just marijuana ... the mere fact that they actually did this as brazen as it was. Whatever load (it was) had a lot more value then your typical marijuana load," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said investigators are questioning the truck driver. He said the man is the key to unlocking the case.

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