On Tuesday, October 21, journalist and host of the program C4 en Alerta, Carlos Jiménez, exposed two alleged extortionists from La Unión Tepito beating a merchant in the Historic Center who allegedly failed to meet security requirements.
Following these events, the same source reported that the alleged extortionists are searching for the person who betrayed them and exposed their face on national television. Here’s what members of La Unión had to say.
According to C4 Jiménez, the alleged extortionists shown in the video, identified as El Paquito and El Beto, pledged to stop collecting fees from any merchant who reveals who reported them on the C4 en Alerta program.
In addition, he stated, they will increase extortion fees for all merchants in the area, specifically in the Cuauhtémoc borough.
The source said that on the night the video was released, the alleged extortionists threatened merchants in the Historic Center, telling them they would find out who posted their image.
“Whoever finds out who sent the video, we will stop charging them the fee,” was the alleged message being spread by La Unión Tepito.
This pair of criminals, who are allegedly members of the Herrera Segura cell, led by a man named El Mate, are reportedly demanding 1,000 pesos from each merchant in the Historic Center. After being exposed, the fee will be increased to 1,400 pesos, C4 reported on Alerta.
One of the alleged extortionists can be seen grabbing the victim from behind, while his accomplice repeatedly hits him with an object. They then begin kicking him on the ground.
What is known is that the attack is consistent with this criminal group’s modus operandi, which consists of an initial warning, using physical violence, if the merchants refuse to pay a security fee.
