Corrupt Cops at Checkpoint Looking For Bribe | Warning
Mexico
Details
- Verified:
- over 1 year ago
- GPS:
- 21.81492, -102.08776
- Altitude:
- 2212.6 masl
- Contributor:
-
lyndsay1986
Amenities
Something not right?
Description
En route towards Guanajuato from Aguascalientes we were stopped at a checkpoint near the AGS/Jalisco border. These coordinates aren't exact, but close. We added this place after we left.
At first the cops said in Spanish "They don't speak Spanish", and we said, "Yes, a little" and then they pulled us over. They asked if we had drugs, weapons or if we were transporting alcohol. Of course we said no...we didn't anyway. Then they asked for all our paperwork, which was of course in order. We asked them if the Sierra Lobos were nice (a spot on iOverlander) and they said yes. We always try to make small talk. So then, they said how did the crack in your windshield happen and we told them it was a rock. They asked for Braden's licence and insurance on the vehicle. We gave them photocopies and they said they needed the originals. We complied (STUPID MOVE). They said they were going to give us a broken windshield infraction and that we'd have to go back to Aguascalientes to pay the fine. They said they would hold on to our licence and insurance until we went back to town to pay, but that because the police station was closed at that time we'd have to wait until tomorrow to pay and get our stuff back. We asked how it is possible for Braden to drive if he didn't have his licence on him? They said they'd give us a slip in case we got pulled over. We asked how much the infraction would be and they said they didn't know, they would calculate that at the station (weird, don't cops usually write tickets roadside?). The pushy one asked Braden what he did for a living back in Canada.
We said fine, we'll go back, but we explained we sleep in our van and asked if we could stay in the police station parking lot for the night. The pushy cop said get a hotel. So I put on the waterworks and said we don't have much money and we sleep in our van because we cannot afford hotels and restaurants. We said we don't have a house in Canada (which is true), and couldn't we please sleep in our van since now we have to pay a fine AND get our windshield fixed. At NO POINT did they pull out a notepad and write us a ticket or that slip of paper permitting Braden to drive without a licence.
We refused to offer them a bribe and when they finally realized we weren't going to, the pushier officer stormed grumpily back to the roadside building and the "nicer" officer handed us our stuff back and asked us if at least we had any beers or pops we could give them (we actually didn't, we usually just carry water)! He told us to be careful on the road and keep our eyes our for bad guys. He said Guanajuato was nice and San Luis Potosi had beautiful waterfalls that we should check out. It was like he was trying to make up for the stress and trouble they had caused. We drove away without a ticket or without paying a bribe, but it still sucked big-time. Just pretend you don't speak much Spanish and insist that you don't have any money and that you are happy to return to the police station to pay the fine officially. Play the long game and eventually they will crack.... hopefully. Do EVERYTHING you can to NOT give them your original copies of anything. Alternatively, go another route.
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Latest Check-Ins
Point needs to be moved to our new coordinates.
Its a joint check point of Guardia Nacional and Polica Estadial - no problem, friendly and efficient check.
En route towards Guanajuato from Aguascalientes we were stopped at a checkpoint near the AGS/Jalisco border. These coordinates aren't exact, but close. We added this place after we left.
At first the cops said in Spanish "They don't speak Spanish", and we said, "Yes, a little" and then they pulled us over. They asked if we had drugs, weapons or if we were transporting alcohol. Of course we said no...we didn't anyway. Then they asked for all our paperwork, which was of course in order. We asked them if the Sierra Lobos were nice (a spot on iOverlander) and they said yes. We always try to make small talk. So then, they said how did the crack in your windshield happen and we told them it was a rock. They asked for Braden's licence and insurance on the vehicle. We gave them photocopies and they said they needed the originals. We complied (STUPID MOVE). They said they were going to give us a broken windshield infraction and that we'd have to go back to Aguascalientes to pay the fine. They said they would hold on to our licence and insurance until we went back to town to pay, but that because the police station was closed at that time we'd have to wait until tomorrow to pay and get our stuff back. We asked how it is possible for Braden to drive if he didn't have his licence on him? They said they'd give us a slip in case we got pulled over. We asked how much the infraction would be and they said they didn't know, they would calculate that at the station (weird, don't cops usually write tickets roadside?). The pushy one asked Braden what he did for a living back in Canada.
We said fine, we'll go back, but we explained we sleep in our van and asked if we could stay in the police station parking lot for the night. The pushy cop said get a hotel. So I put on the waterworks and said we don't have much money and we sleep in our van because we cannot afford hotels and restaurants. We said we don't have a house in Canada (which is true), and couldn't we please sleep in our van since now we have to pay a fine AND get our windshield fixed. At NO POINT did they pull out a notepad and write us a ticket or that slip of paper permitting Braden to drive without a licence.
We refused to offer them a bribe and when they finally realized we weren't going to, the pushier officer stormed grumpily back to the roadside building and the "nicer" officer handed us our stuff back and asked us if at least we had any beers or pops we could give them (we actually didn't, we usually just carry water)! He told us to be careful on the road and keep our eyes our for bad guys. He said Guanajuato was nice and San Luis Potosi had beautiful waterfalls that we should check out. It was like he was trying to make up for the stress and trouble they had caused. We drove away without a ticket or without paying a bribe, but it still sucked big-time. Just pretend you don't speak much Spanish and insist that you don't have any money and that you are happy to return to the police station to pay the fine officially. Play the long game and eventually they will crack.... hopefully. Do EVERYTHING you can to NOT give them your original copies of anything. Alternatively, go another route.