Three More Police Officers Arrested In Connection With Mexico Heaven Bar Kidnapping And Murders

A fourth police officer was arrested in connection with the 12 youths killed in a mass kidnapping from the entertainment district of Zona Rosa in Mexico. The 12 young people were kidnapped from the Heaven Bar at the start of the summer. In August, the 12 victims were discovered in a mass grave near the Mexican capital. Officials believe the four officers arrested in connection with the case were directly involved with the kidnapping and transportation of the victims to the mass grave in Tlalmanalco. More than 15 people have been arrested in this case, that includes the four police officers.

The Mexico City police chief and security Chief Jesus Rodriguez spoke with the Associated Press saying that all four of the officers have been turned over to the prosecutor's office. The prosecutor is still examining the evidence to see if anything will come up that links these four officers to this crime. The mass kidnapping of the 12 young people from Heaven Bar shook Mexico City to its core. Outraged family members and citizens staged protests demanding the police keep up their work to find the missing men and women.

Last week it was announced that one officer was arrested in connection with the kidnapping. On Monday another two officers were taken into custody and today it was announced that a fourth officer has been detained. The first officer arrested in this case is Édgar Ernesto Gutiérrez Vera. The other two officered arrested on Monday were Jorge Clemente Martínez Pérez and José Zequera Zavala. The fourth officer has yet to be identified.

Authorities investigating the kidnapping and murders the four police officers are believed to be involved with also believe the mass killings were the result of clashes between rival gangs. Drug trafficking is believed to be the link between the gangs and these 12 people. However, the family members of the 12 dead Heaven Bar patrons have adamantly fought the allegations that their loved ones were involved with gangs or drugs.

More From Latin Times

Mexico City Policeman Had Hand In Kidnapping And Murder Of 'Tepito 13,' Say Mexican Authorities

Pope Benedict XVI Sex Scandal Update: Emeritus Pope Breaks Silence, Says 'I Never Tried To Cover These Things Up'