Mexico vacation a nightmare for Canadians after vehicle hijacking

Canadian Press & 680News staff Apr 07, 2010 21:15:30 PM 4 Recommendation(s)

A Niagara Falls couple's winter vacation to Mexico became a nightmare after 15 armed bandits stole their vehicle, and left them with nothing but their two dogs and the clothes on their backs.

David and Joyce Miller were driving home in their pickup truck and trailer on March 26, when they came upon a three-vehicle roadblock on a highway approximately three and a half hours away from the U.S. border. Once there, they were forced out of their vehicle at gunpoint, and were left in the middle of the road.

The Millers' friends from Ottawa, travelling just behind them, had the same experience.

``It was like a military operation of shock and awe,'' said Miller, who was concluding his third annual winter trip to Mexico with his wife, Joyce, ``they smiled and waved as they drove away.''

Although the vehicles were recovered two days later, all documentation, identification and belongings were gone.

The Millers are currently staying in a Mexican hotel. They have become entangled in bureaucratic chaos preventing them from getting their truck back, as they try to convince the Mexican government the vehicle is theirs.

Miller said their Canadian friends, who were in a similar bind, planned to fly out on Wednesday, but have now decided to abandon their vehicle.

Carrie Noell, Joyce Miller's daughter, sent copies of the Canadian-issued ownership for the truck and trailer and other paperwork. The Canadian federal government continues to keep an eye on the investigation.