State investigators arrested a 53-year-old man in downtown Loreto on Thursday, April 16, after a pursuit that included a gunshot fired by the suspect on one of the town’s main streets. No one was injured.
Agents from SADAI, the Baja California Sur high-impact crimes unit (Subprocuraduría de Atención a Delitos de Alto Impacto), spotted Juan “N” driving a gray Mercedes SUV on Avenida Miguel Hidalgo in central Loreto. The man was behaving suspiciously, according to authorities. When officers signaled him to pull over, he fled.
Suspect Fired a Shot During the Pursuit
During the chase through Loreto’s compact downtown grid, the suspect fired one round at officers. Agents caught up with him and made the arrest on Calle Ignacio Allende, a residential street just blocks from the historic mission and the town’s malecón.
Police recovered a Glock pistol with a loaded magazine and one spent shell casing from the scene. They also seized a loaded rifle magazine containing three 5.56-caliber rounds. The presence of SADAI agents in the area before the pursuit began indicates investigators were already working a narcotics case in Loreto.
Over 2,000 Doses of Meth Seized
Officers found 2,185 individual doses of crystal methamphetamine divided among three plastic bags inside the vehicle, along with a scale and 440 pesos (roughly $24 USD). The quantity points to a distribution-level operation rather than personal use.
Loreto, a coastal town of about 20,000 residents on the Sea of Cortez roughly 350 kilometers north of La Paz, is widely regarded as one of the safest communities in Baja California Sur. The town is home to a growing number of expat residents and draws visitors to Loreto Bay National Marine Park. Violent incidents in the town center are uncommon.
The suspect, the Mercedes SUV, and all seized evidence were turned over to the Baja California Sur state prosecutor’s office for further investigation. Juan “N” is a Loreto native, according to authorities. No charges have been formally announced.
The incident was first reported by BCS Noticias.