TOLUCA, Mexico -- A gang of Mexican police officers has been charged in the killings of 17 people, allegedly forcing victims to secluded areas before robbing them and shooting them to death.
The charges Wednesday against the five officers shocked a country already weary of scandals and police corruption and violence. Dozens of police nationwide have been charged in connection with robberies, kidnappings and killings in the past year.Based in the Ecatepec suburb on Mexico City's northern outskirts, the police gang allegedly waited near a popular public market for likely victims.
Prosecutors say the officers would follow the victims in their patrol cars, then pull them over, accuse them of traffic violations and force them into a police vehicle.
The victims were told they were being taken to a police station, but were instead driven to deserted stretches of roadway. The officers then allegedly robbed them of jewelry, credit cards and cash, then shot them to death with their service revolvers.