Canadian Murdered in Sosua

[terrierist]

From the Montreal Gazette this morning:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Quebec+City+killed+Dominican+Republic+report/2402277/story.html

It reads:

A Quebec City man in his 40s was killed in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, the television network TVA reported Sunday. According to the report, the man was killed in the resort town of Sosua.

The man was found in the residence of a friend. The friend was tied up and the man had been beaten to death. Dominican Republic police are investigating the incident.
________________________________

This has apparently been confirmed by the Canadian Embassy. I wonder what happened?

[HAMMERHEAD]

WOW......not good

[Klockman]

Horrible news, it does make you think twice though, doesn't it?

[SeaWeed]

sorry to hear this.........sure more will come out in the following days.....

mi think Tourism in Sosua and the DR will be taking a hit because of this now and the D'Arcy ordeal......obviously there are some pretty rotten characters floating around Sosua these days.......mi not in so much of hurry to get back now

[terrierist]

I think that we need some more context on this. Murders of tourists don't occur frequently. Without details I certainly wouldn't be worrying overly about a single incident. Certainly it wouldn't affect my travel plans if I were travelling there, at least not yet.

[blacksultan]

Bad situation, but the chocha train won't be derailed.

[SJG]

I guess those guys did not make a mistake in identity.....

[yayow]

Desperate times, lead to desperate deeds.

[weyland]

Tourism in Sosua and the DR will be taking a hit because of this now and the D'Arcy ordeal ... obviously there are so pretty rotten characters floating around Sosua these days
Tragic news and indeed bad for tourism, but I don't think you can associate it in any way with the Monty Apos Flying Circus roadshow.

I assume "ordeal" was a typo for "ordure"?

[Jimmydr]

Tragic news and indeed bad for tourism, but I don't think you can associate it in any way with the Monty Apos Flying Circus roadshow.

I assume "ordeal" was a typo for "ordure"?


What did the Canadians do, that makes two?

[Downtown]

I guess those guys did not make a mistake in identity.....

Or did they.....?

[SeaWeed]

I think that we need some more context on this. Murders of tourists don't occur frequently. Without details I certainly wouldn't be worrying overly about a single incident. Certainly it wouldn't affect my travel plans if I were travelling there, at least not yet.the power of the pussy is simply amazing......lol

[Jimmydr]

the power of the pussy is simply amazing......lol


I just had breakfast. There is one girl I can call now for a BBBJ for $40 and another that is $100 for the half, buts its cold out there so I will watch some television instead. Whats so powerful about it?

[jensenspecial]

been searching the internet for more info, there is nothing about the case ..only source is the Montreal newspapaer..called 3 people in Sosua, besides my wife...nobody heard nothing about this case...usually bad news like that would spread in minutes...no dominican newspapers mentions a case in Sosua...very strange indeed... and it is not even news anymore..it supposedly happened on Dec 30th.

[givengo440]

From the Montreal Gazette this morning:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Quebec+City+killed+Dominican+Republic+report/2402277/story.html

It reads:

A Quebec City man in his 40s was killed in the Dominican Republic on Thursday, the television network TVA reported Sunday. According to the report, the man was killed in the resort town of Sosua.

The man was found in the residence of a friend. The friend was tied up and the man had been beaten to death. Dominican Republic police are investigating the incident.
________________________________

This has apparently been confirmed by the Canadian Embassy. I wonder what happened?
It looks like the kidnappers finally found there man :eek:

[Jimbo44]

I am not trying to discriminate here, but there is a huge Hells Angels chapter out of Canada in Cabarete. No telling what kind of drug deal or whatever went bad!!

[terrierist]

More news has surfaced in Canadian newspapers, this in a Nanaimo newspaper: Question: which resorts have twelve rooms?

MONTREAL - A security guard at a resort in the town of Sosua in the Dominican Republic has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Quebec City man Dec. 30, according to media reports.

The guard allegedly tipped off two men about the presence of the victim and his friend at the villa, which has 12 rooms.



Police have also arrested a second man, reports said.

Quebec City resident Jean Gagne, 41, was vacationing with a friend when two men entered their rooms in the middle of the night, according to the Journal de Montreal.

The victim's friend, who said he did not want to be named, told the Journal that the attackers tied him up with bed sheets. They took his wallet, credit cards and his cellphone. Moments later, he heard two gunshots from the neighbouring room.

Sosua is located on the north coast of the country, just west of Puerto Plata.

[terrierist]

And yet another report, with the Canadian and US governments warning of increased crime in the Dominican Republic:

Quebec City man slain in Dominican Republic

Last Updated: Monday, January 4, 2010 | 8:12 AM ET

CBC News (http://news.insearchofchicas.org/news/credit.html)


Canadian authorities in the Caribbean are looking into the violent death of a Quebec City man vacationing in the Dominican Republic.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Department confirmed the man was killed around New Year's Eve, and said consular officials on the island country are gathering details from local authorities.
In Canada, Quebec media outlets have identified the 41-year old victim as Jean Gagné.
The Journal de Montréal reported Monday that Gagné was in the Dominican Republic on a last-minute sun trip with a friend. They were vacationing in a private villa at Sosua, on the north coast just west of Puerto Plata, when they were attacked in the middle of the night by two men.
There are conflicting reports about whether the attack took place on Dec. 30, 31 or Jan. 1.
Gagné was found dead in his room and his friend was found tied and bound in the next room. Gagné's friend told Quebec television network TVA that he heard gunshots from the room.
CBC News contacted national authorities in the Dominican Republic, but there was no one available to comment on the matter.
Canada's Foreign Affairs Department website warns travellers that the crime rate has increased in the Dominican Republic and that travellers should take precautions. The U.S. State Department also warns the Caribbean island is dangerous, and armed criminals may use force if they meet resistance.

[swiggy]

Found this from DR1

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Guard+arrested+Quebecer+murder+Dominican+resort/2402914/story.html

[JD426]

doesnt sound drug related to me

and pistol whipped too !?

wouldnt it be something if they confess to other such robberies.

seems to me if it were not escalated to a murder , we would never even HEAR or KNOW anything about it.

" Like it never even happened. ! "

certainly makes you go..
HMMMMMM... :confused::confused::confused:

[LM]

Here's a link to a DR newspaper article....names the hotel


http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/verNoticia.aspx?Id=923

[swiggy]

MONTREAL – A security guard at a resort villa in the town of Sosua in the Dominican Republic has been arrested in connection with the murder of a Quebec City man the night of Dec. 30, according to media reports.

The guard allegedly tipped off two men about the presence of the victim and his friend at the villa, which has only 12 rooms.

Police in the Caribbean nation have also arrested a second man, reports said.

Quebec City resident Jean Gagné, 41, was vacationing with a friend when two men entered their rooms in the middle of the night, according to the Journal de Montréal.

The victim’s friend, who said he did not want to be named, told the Journal that the attackers tied him up with bed sheets. They took his wallet, credit cards and his cellphone, and they pistol-whipped him, demanding his PIN number to get more money.

They finally left the room with him still tied to the bed. Moments later, he heard two gunshots from Gagné's room next door.

Sosua is located on the north coast of the country, just west of Puerto Plata.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Affairs Department in Ottawa was not immediately available to comment on the matter early Monday.

[terrierist]

Here's a link to a DR newspaper article....names the hotel


http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/verNoticia.aspx?Id=923

Good work!! This seems to be the most thorough account yet, but it is
also indicating that a Norwegian businessman was just murdered in Costambar!!! WTF???

[LM]

Heres the one on the Norway guy....

http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/verNoticia.aspx?Id=916

[SeaWeed]

Good work!! This seems to be the most thorough account yet, but it is
also indicating that a Norwegian businessman was just murdered in Costambar!!! WTF???mi was reading about that yesterday online.....guy was pretty well thought of in the community......sad mon

[chitownpimp]

Where was the villa that the murder took place? I usually stay at the Hispaniola and I prefer not to stay in a "haunted villa."

[terrierist]

Where was the villa that the murder took place? I usually stay at the Hispaniola and I prefer not to stay in a "haunted villa."
The article says it was "Los Tavaras"located in the urbanization Maranata, Sosua. I don't know where that is, though.

[SeaWeed]

mi think that is down from the police station in a residential neigborhood.......but then what do I know......or maybe it's up behind Sosua Beach.....

[weyland]

The article says it was "Los Tavaras"located in the urbanization Maranata, Sosua. I don't know where that is, though.
The turning to Maranatha is immediately before you reach Sosúa Abajo on the right, coming from the airport. I have always understood it to be a pretty poor barrio. I doubt if there is any "gringo-standard" housing there. I am sure some of our members will have been there?

[chitownpimp]

At least the Hispaniola they have 2 levels of security.

[woody514]

Here's a link to a DR newspaper article....names the hotel


http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/verNoticia.aspx?Id=923
This article states that the security guard was detained because he could not explain how he had a gunshot wound to his leg," by his own weapon ". It also states that this was the second murder of a tourist in a 24 hour period. The other was a man from Norway who was bound and beaten to death in his room in Puerto Plata. The Google tool bar has a translation feature that will present this article in English

[jd_mine]

The turning to Maranatha is immediately before you reach Sosúa Abajo on the right, coming from the airport. I have always understood it to be a pretty poor barrio. I doubt if there is any "gringo-standard" housing there. I am sure some of our members will have been there?

There are some nice houses there, also some villas. And then there are the usual cinder block houses and a bit further down the road to the right there is an area that could be described as campo with wooden shacks and all.
It certainly is not a tourist area. Any gringo staying there must have had some local contacts to find accommodations there.
I have been there a lot, also in the middle of the night, but never felt the place was dangerous. A lot of the girls live there.
This seems to have been a setup job.....

[Beads]

The turning to Maranatha is immediately before you reach Sosúa Abajo on the right, coming from the airport. I have always understood it to be a pretty poor barrio. I doubt if there is any "gringo-standard" housing there. I am sure some of our members will have been there?

The road before Sosua Abajo coming from the airport towards Sosua is labeled Bella Vista isnt it? I have always heard the town referred to as Bella Vista as well.

It has to be in that general vicinity for sure.

The road called Bella Vista I have been down many times. This is how you get to the river as the locals call it. When you start going down that road you will be in a fairly small town with shops, stores, and some homes. As you continue down the road the pavement stops and it becomes a dirt road and youll see farms. This road travels back for a looooooooong ways and loops back around to the main road if you travel far enough.

After leaving the pavement things get quite desolate. There are some very expensive homes tucked away out there but I have never gotten that close to any of them nor been inside any of them. There is one in particular perched on top of a mountain that looks incredible but the only roads leading even remotely close to it had signs telling you to stay away.

There is also a baseball field up by the river. A lot of locals gather there on weekends and eat, drink, and swim in the river. I have even seen some of the Sosua beach venders(the ones who walk the beach selling candy and small food items) up there selling their goods later in the day.

[mikelodge]

I am not trying to discriminate here, but there is a huge Hells Angels chapter out of Canada in Cabarete. No telling what kind of drug deal or whatever went bad!!


Unless you are a member or wearing a support hat I wouldn't mess with those boys.

I read on DR1 that there have been over 140 murders in Dec.
They didn't specify if it was in the whole country or the POP area or if it was for the entire year up to the end or for only Dec.
They speculated that most of them were Haitians other than maybe 20-25 but you can check it our for yourself. Personally I think seperating their origin is Bull Shit a dead person is a dead person and there have been way too many.

[Citynights]

Not good news .......two murders in the north coast....:( the expat was leaving his dream there..

[Corinth]

Isn't the Taveras area across from the center entrance to Sosua Beach?

[jensenspecial]

this is a fucked- up article, here the supposed victims are of German nationality, and it suppossedly was happening at Maranata, a bad ass dominican barrio west of Sosua abajo. It says that the two vistims were drinking with two guys of haitian nationality. Does not look like a robbery going wrong....usually there is more to it..the past weeks there were a lot of Canadians ( and of course people of other nationalities) caught to leave the country with all sorts of drugs( from Ecstacy to Coke). Sometimes those tourist drug deals go awefully wrong...



Here's a link to a DR newspaper article....names the hotel


http://www.puertoplatadigital.com/verNoticia.aspx?Id=923

[mikelodge]

this is a fucked- up article, here the supposed victims are of German nationality, and it suppossedly was happening at Maranata, a bad ass dominican barrio west of Sosua abajo. It says that the two vistims were drinking with two guys of haitian nationality. Does not look like a robbery going wrong....usually there is more to it..the past weeks there were a lot of Canadians ( and of course people of other nationalities) caught to leave the country with all sorts of drugs( from Ecstacy to Coke). Sometimes those tourist drug deals go awefully wrong...

You mean there are all sorts of drugs in the DR :confused:

I hope there is no Ecstacy in my Coke unless it is a new Premium Rum by Brugal.

Shit is scary enough there with all the violence can you imagine people looking around like in outer space like in one of those Rave's Videos. What a easy target they would be.

Never understood the attraction when they could get down real nice with some beer, booze and a good smoke and eat a good meal like a human being. :wink:

[chitownpimp]

This story becomes more shady by the second: http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2010/01/05/12352551.html obviously the security guard is no criminal mastermind.

[PapiQueRico]

I'm sure glad I'm going to Colombia where it's safe. :)

[SeaWeed]

greed in desperate times......

have to admit the recent runnings in the DR has kind of pointed this guy in the direction of Jamaica for this Spring.......need time to work on mi Espanol for Columbia in the fall

[cosi66]

Even the names of the victims are different in the two stories.

Puerto Plata digital mentions Jim Card, 42 years old, as the victim, while the Toronto Sun states the victim as Jean Gagne of Quebec City, 42 years old.

[yayow]

You mean there are all sorts of drugs in the DR :confused:

I hope there is no Ecstacy in my Coke unless it is a new Premium Rum by Brugal.

Shit is scary enough there with all the violence can you imagine people looking around like in outer space like in one of those Rave's Videos. What a easy target they would be.

Never understood the attraction when they could get down real nice with some beer, booze and a good smoke and eat a good meal like a human being. :wink:

The thing about Sosua is that you have all kinds there, there are definitely some people looking to take advantage of a tourist who is just looking to have a good time, if you are drinking not just liquor you need to keep an eye on your drink, or you stand a distinct possibility of being drugged, with ruppies or something else, if you get some of that shit in your drink, you can still function, but you will do whatever the person who put it in your drink wants you to do. Including giving them your atm card and password. Word to the wise keep an eye on yo shit.

[yayow]

greed in desperate times......

have to admit the recent runnings in the DR has kind of pointed this guy in the direction of Jamaica for this Spring.......need time to work on mi Espanol for Columbia in the fall


Brother man, understand this is not just a Dominican shit it can happen anywhere, if you are not aware, including the good ol US of A. Stupidity and not being aware in general is a formula for all kinds of shit occuring. You are not immune in Colombia or Jamaica, you need to understand that, always be aware of your surroundings and take responsibility for it. It does help if you have a wingman watching your back, even though I am not a big proponent of wingmen, in circumstances such as this it can help.

[gdogg]

Even the names of the victims are different in the two stories.

Puerto Plata digital mentions Jim Card, 42 years old, as the victim, while the Toronto Sun states the victim as Jean Gagne of Quebec City, 42 years old.

One was his Dominican name, the other was the one was his real one. If something happened to Jimmy, the Dominican press would refer to him as JimmyDr, when we ALL know his real name is Senor Jimmy de Medellin!
:wink:

[Citynights]

Even the names of the victims are different in the two stories.

Puerto Plata digital mentions Jim Card, 42 years old, as the victim, while the Toronto Sun states the victim as Jean Gagne of Quebec City, 42 years old.

there was two different murders...one in sousa & other in puerto plata...

[gdogg]

there was two different murders...one in sousa & other in puerto plata...

...or maybe Citynights will come along with the correct answer!
:iconTU:

[gdogg]

Update?

Ingrid Peritz
Montreal — From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published on Tuesday, Jan. 05, 2010 7:20PM EST Last updated on Tuesday, Jan. 05, 2010 7:21PM EST





Police in the Dominican Republic have arrested a security guard and are seeking two other men in the shooting of a Quebec tourist who had been vacationing in the Caribbean sun spot over the New Year.
Officials say Jean Gagné was overheard arguing with intruders moments before being shot in the chest during a robbery inside the villa he'd been renting with a fellow Quebecker.

The pair had been in separate rooms when intruders burst in at night. The friend was bound, beaten and robbed.
Moments later, the friend overheard a fracas in the room where Mr. Gagné was staying, he told TVA on Tuesday.
“If it happened the way it did in my room, they probably pointed the gun directly at his face,” said the man, who asked not to be identified. “I believe he tried to grab the gun because a shot was fired on the wall.
“Maybe a second or two later … he had the misfortune of getting a second bullet directly in the heart.”

Police have identified the friend accompanying Mr. Gagné as Alexandre Tremblay.
Television images in the Dominican Republic show the floor of Mr. Gagné's room smeared with blood, a pair of black sandals nearby.
Police have arrested Santo Martin Espinar, who had been working as a security guard at the privately owned villa, located in a popular tourist destination of Sosua. A second man, identified as Jordan Cesar Heredia Cena, was arrested and released. Two Haitian women at the scene were also questioned and released, police say.
Prosecutor Jose Martinez Montan said on Tuesday police hope to use Mr. Tremblay's stolen cellphone to locate two other suspects at large.
Police say the security guard joined forces with the intruders to let them inside the fenced-in villa, which belonged to a Quebecker, the night of Dec. 30-31.

Mr. Gagné reportedly worked in car parts sales, and decided to head to the Dominican Republic for a last-minute holiday. His mother, reached at the family's home in Lévis near Quebec City on Tuesday, declined to comment.
Police in Lévis says the 41-year-old had been known to them for activities dating to the 1990s. They would not elaborate.
Canada's Foreign Affairs updated its travel advisory for the Dominican Republic on Dec. 1. The department's website warns that the crime rate in the Caribbean destination has increased.
“Travellers to the Dominican Republic should exercise a high degree of caution, due to a high crime rate,” it says.
“While violent crime, including assault, has affected a few foreigners, petty crime, including pick-pocketing, is common in urban areas. Thefts have been reported in resorts. Canadians should exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings, especially after dark.”
Still, Foreign Affairs says the number of reported Canadian deaths from all causes has been dropping in the Dominican Republic – to 22 last year from 43 in 2007.

The Canadian consulate in Puerto Plata and the Canadian embassy in the capital of Santo Domingo are in contact with local authorities over Mr. Gagné's death. Foreign Affairs is also providing consular assistance to his family in Quebec.

[swiggy]

The turning to Maranatha is immediately before you reach Sosúa Abajo on the right, coming from the airport. I have always understood it to be a pretty poor barrio. I doubt if there is any "gringo-standard" housing there. I am sure some of our members will have been there?

Maranata is similar to Charamicos, but less commercial establishments. probably a bit smaller.. The power is out more than half the day and night, probably because everyone is poor. Ive seen a hotel or two but I wouldnt stay there.

[Jimbo44]

...or maybe Citynights will come along with the correct answer!
:iconTU:

To Hell with that, how about a picture filled good ole Puta Trip Report !!!!:confused:

[swiggy]

They really arent naming the Villa is but one report says Los Taveras. if you google map of sosua there is an Urb Taveras which is exactly where Hispaniola is.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=map+of+sosua&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&oe=UTF-8&rlz=1I7ADSA_en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Sosua,+Dominican+Republic&gl=us&ei=VCBES7PFAZKplAfc6PyVBw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CA0Q8gEwAA

[tkg2006]

Here is a link to a tv news report
http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/player.html?clipid=1376979796

This is bad news for the DR. I just got back yesterday and although there were more tourists from when I was there in September it didnt seem to compare with past years at the same time.

From talking with the locals that rely on the tourist they have suffered with the recession and were really counting on and looking forward to it being busy in January through April when the Canadians and Europeans come down.

With this being on the news in Canada definitely people will be looking at other destinations. While most of the people changing the destination may be the AI tourists they're still pumping money into the economy. A lot of them staying in Playa Dorado, Casa Marina, or Sosua Bay will still spend the day at Sosua beach or be eating in the local restaurants and are probably the only ones who buy the souvenirs from the 1000 shops on the beach.

Hopefully this doesnt lead to an increase in crime from people that normally wouldnt lead that life but our forced into it to feed the family.

[jensenspecial]

I repeat, that this story is very odd, it did NOT happen at any resort, it was some private residence probably with a guard close by in the barrio of Maranatha. Nothing like that ever happend at any horel or resort with regular security service at Sosua/El Batey, so of course we as business owners in Sosua are very concerned about the way the news article is published with no research about the circumstances of this terrible crime whatsoever. Pls everybody as long as you stay in a regular hotel, do not mix with the low ass dominican wanna be players to buy drugs or hookers from them you are SAVE !!!!!!
best regards,
Peter





Here is a link to a tv news report
http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/player.html?clipid=1376979796

This is bad news for the DR. I just got back yesterday and although there were more tourists from when I was there in September it didnt seem to compare with past years at the same time.

From talking with the locals that rely on the tourist they have suffered with the recession and were really counting on and looking forward to it being busy in January through April when the Canadians and Europeans come down.

With this being on the news in Canada definitely people will be looking at other destinations. While most of the people changing the destination may be the AI tourists they're still pumping money into the economy. A lot of them staying in Playa Dorado, Casa Marina, or Sosua Bay will still spend the day at Sosua beach or be eating in the local restaurants and are probably the only ones who buy the souvenirs from the 1000 shops on the beach.

Hopefully this doesnt lead to an increase in crime from people that normally wouldnt lead that life but our forced into it to feed the family.

[mikelodge]

there was two different murders...one in sousa & other in puerto plata...

According to a post on DR1 they said the News said there was 140 some Murders by December and many of them involved Haitians. Don't know what that means but you can read it for yourself.

2 separate tourists killed in the same week or so damn I hope that brings Whore prices down from the 1000 peso street average some say is out there for ST. :confused:

[mikelodge]

Here is a link to a tv news report
http://www.cbc.ca/video/news/player.html?clipid=1376979796

This is bad news for the DR. I just got back yesterday and although there were more tourists from when I was there in September it didnt seem to compare with past years at the same time.

From talking with the locals that rely on the tourist they have suffered with the recession and were really counting on and looking forward to it being busy in January through April when the Canadians and Europeans come down.

With this being on the news in Canada definitely people will be looking at other destinations. While most of the people changing the destination may be the AI tourists they're still pumping money into the economy. A lot of them staying in Playa Dorado, Casa Marina, or Sosua Bay will still spend the day at Sosua beach or be eating in the local restaurants and are probably the only ones who buy the souvenirs from the 1000 shops on the beach.

Hopefully this doesnt lead to an increase in crime from people that normally wouldnt lead that life but our forced into it to feed the family.
Nice Photo in your avatar of:

Luca Brazzi sleeps with the fishes. :D Danger Danger Will Robinson

[mikelodge]

The thing about Sosua is that you have all kinds there, there are definitely some people looking to take advantage of a tourist who is just looking to have a good time, if you are drinking not just liquor you need to keep an eye on your drink, or you stand a distinct possibility of being drugged, with ruppies or something else, if you get some of that shit in your drink, you can still function, but you will do whatever the person who put it in your drink wants you to do. Including giving them your atm card and password. Word to the wise keep an eye on yo shit.

This was true decades ago when they called it Slipping Someone a Mickey when it was probably only Chloralhydrate now we have to watch out for Rohypenal / GHB / ruffies and who knows what else. Damn scary with all the kidnappings and murders.

I watch them make my drink if I don't know the place well. :eek:

[weyland]

“... they probably pointed the gun directly at his face. I believe he tried to grab the gun because a shot was fired on the wall."

This is where he made his mistake.

[SeaWeed]

deadly mistake........

give dem da money and cards mon.......not worth loosing ones life over it

[mikelodge]

deadly mistake........

give dem da money and cards mon.......not worth loosing ones life over it

I looked over at DR1 again and it is still posted there so it must be true since noone is denying it. They state that DR News said on Jan. 1 that for December there were 140 murders in the DR. Damn that is almost 5 per day. :eek::eek:

[swiggy]

The story is still changing every day but it seems they arrested a second guy on Monday if they didnt already say this. there is a link to the story with a pic of the Villa at the bottom.


This was posted Monday on CBC News:


A Quebec City man killed while on vacation in the Dominican Republic was the victim of a robbery plot involving a security guard, local police said Monday.

Jean Gagné, 41, was vacationing with a friend in a private villa in the town of Sosua, east of Puerto Plata, when he was shot on New Year’s Eve.

Gagné’s friend, Alexandre Tremblay, told the French-language television network TVA that they were attacked in the middle of the night by two men.

Tremblay said he was bound, tied to his bed and robbed. Then, he said, he heard gunshots in the next room.

Gagné had been shot in the heart, while a private security guard was shot in the leg.

A Dominican television news report shows blood smeared and spattered on the floor of the villa.

The security guard was arrested, as well as two Haitian women who were with Gagné and Tremblay, said Col. Nelson Eddy Araujo of Dominican National Police.

The guard was involved in a plot to rob the pair and was promised a share of the take if he let the robbers in, Araujo said.

Araujo denied local media reports that the security guard shot Gagné before shooting himself in the leg to cover his tracks. He said another man pulled the trigger and police are still trying to track him down.

Araujo would not confirm reports the two women were prostitutes.

One witness said one of the women left the door to the villa open.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Department said consular officials on the island country are gathering details from local authorities.

The Foreign Affairs website warns travellers that the crime rate has increased in the Dominican Republic and that precautions should be taken. The U.S. State Department also warns the Caribbean island is dangerous and armed criminals may use force if they meet resistance.

Montreal travel agent Nora Chamass said she warns her clients that cheap deals to the Dominican Republic can be risky.

"I push them really to not go there," Chamass said. "I explain … to be aware what they’re taking or where they’re going."

During the same week a Norwegian tourist was also robbed and beaten to death in the Dominican Republic.




This was from Tuesday:

A second man is in custody and a third suspect is being sought in connection with the killing of a tourist from Quebec City in the Dominican Republic, local officials said Tuesday.

Jean Gagné was shot and killed by intruders in a villa in the resort town of Sosua, east of Puerto Plata on New Year’s Eve.

Also on Tuesday, police in Lévis, Que., confirmed that Gagné, 41, was known to them back in 1997.

Police refused to confirm reports by French-language television network TVA that Gagné had ties to biker gangs.

His friend and travel companion Alexandre Tremblay told the Journal de Montréal that intruders broke into the villa overnight.

Tremblay said he was tied to his bed, and heard gunshots in the next room.

A security guard at the villa was arrested and is alleged to have been involved in what police are calling a robbery plot.

Police said a second man was also arrested and they are seeking a third suspect who has also been identified.

The suspects allegedly made off with $600 and a cellphone.

Gagné was shot in the chest, while the security guard had been shot in the foot.

Two Haitian women who were in the villa at the time were also questioned by police.

Condolence messages also poured in on the website guideauto.com for the former semi-pro stock-car racer who competed in the Supersportsman Challenge in Quebec in the late 90s and early in the last decade.

Canadian foreign affairs officials said they had little information about the case and were waiting for a report from Dominican police. They said they believe the killing was an isolated incident.

Gagné’s body is expected to be returned to Canada by the end of the week.



There is a blurry photo of the Villa on Mondays story:

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/01/04/quebec-city-man-killed-in-the-dominican-republic.html

[WickedWillie]

This is where he made his mistake.

Too true, but since living here I have often pondered what I would do in the same in the same situation, especially when I have had a few drinks in me and my bravery level is notched up a gear or two.

[mikelodge]

The story is still changing every day but it seems they arrested a second guy on Monday if they didnt already say this. there is a link to the story with a pic of the Villa at the bottom.


This was posted Monday on CBC News:


A Quebec City man killed while on vacation in the Dominican Republic was the victim of a robbery plot involving a security guard, local police said Monday.

Jean Gagné, 41, was vacationing with a friend in a private villa in the town of Sosua, east of Puerto Plata, when he was shot on New Year’s Eve.

Gagné’s friend, Alexandre Tremblay, told the French-language television network TVA that they were attacked in the middle of the night by two men.

Tremblay said he was bound, tied to his bed and robbed. Then, he said, he heard gunshots in the next room.

Gagné had been shot in the heart, while a private security guard was shot in the leg.

A Dominican television news report shows blood smeared and spattered on the floor of the villa.

The security guard was arrested, as well as two Haitian women who were with Gagné and Tremblay, said Col. Nelson Eddy Araujo of Dominican National Police.

The guard was involved in a plot to rob the pair and was promised a share of the take if he let the robbers in, Araujo said.

Araujo denied local media reports that the security guard shot Gagné before shooting himself in the leg to cover his tracks. He said another man pulled the trigger and police are still trying to track him down.

Araujo would not confirm reports the two women were prostitutes.

One witness said one of the women left the door to the villa open.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Department said consular officials on the island country are gathering details from local authorities.

The Foreign Affairs website warns travellers that the crime rate has increased in the Dominican Republic and that precautions should be taken. The U.S. State Department also warns the Caribbean island is dangerous and armed criminals may use force if they meet resistance.

Montreal travel agent Nora Chamass said she warns her clients that cheap deals
to the Dominican Republic can be risky.

"I push them really to not go there,"
Chamass said. "I explain … to be aware what they’re taking or where they’re going."

During the same week a Norwegian tourist was also robbed and beaten to death in the Dominican Republic.




This was from Tuesday:

A second man is in custody and a third suspect is being sought in connection with the killing of a tourist from Quebec City in the Dominican Republic, local officials said Tuesday.

Jean Gagné was shot and killed by intruders in a villa in the resort town of Sosua, east of Puerto Plata on New Year’s Eve.

Also on Tuesday, police in Lévis, Que., confirmed that Gagné, 41, was known to them back in 1997.

Police refused to confirm reports by French-language television network TVA that Gagné had ties to biker gangs.

His friend and travel companion Alexandre Tremblay told the Journal de Montréal that intruders broke into the villa overnight.

Tremblay said he was tied to his bed, and heard gunshots in the next room.

A security guard at the villa was arrested and is alleged to have been involved in what police are calling a robbery plot.

Police said a second man was also arrested and they are seeking a third suspect who has also been identified.

The suspects allegedly made off with $600 and a cellphone.

Gagné was shot in the chest, while the security guard had been shot in the foot.

Two Haitian women who were in the villa at the time were also questioned by police.

Condolence messages also poured in on the website guideauto.com for the former semi-pro stock-car racer who competed in the Supersportsman Challenge in Quebec in the late 90s and early in the last decade.

Canadian foreign affairs officials said they had little information about the case and were waiting for a report from Dominican police. They said they believe the killing was an isolated incident.

Gagné’s body is expected to be returned to Canada by the end of the week.



There is a blurry photo of the Villa on Mondays story:

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2010/01/04/quebec-city-man-killed-in-the-dominican-republic.html

These warnings from both Governments are not going to be good for business.
I hope that business doesn't drop off so much that they start cutting flights. This worries me that if less gringo dollars are coming down the criminal element will get more aggressive. :eek: