Five Alleged Kidnappers Die in Clash with Police in Eastern Mexico

VERACRUZ, Mexico – Five alleged kidnappers died Thursday in a shootout with police in the city of Poza Rica, in the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz.

Police rescued two kidnap victims, authorities said.

The shootout began when the kidnappers opened fire on police with the elite Public Safety Secretariat at a house in Poza Rica, the state government said in a communique.

During the shootout, five of the alleged kidnappers were killed and the two victims were rescued by police.

The police seized assorted rifles, which are reserved for use by the army, an undetermined amount of ammunition and communications equipment, according to the statement.

In another operation in the town of Perote, in the western part of the state, police broke up a cell of eight presumed members of an organized criminal group specializing in kidnapping.

Besides capturing the members of the group, police seized several rifles, grenades, ammunition and ammunition clips, all of which are normally used only by the Mexican armed forces, as well as military-style clothing and vehicles.