Private Investigator hired, locates Armored Car Thief in Mexico.

[Robert Donovan]

The parents of a 23 year old armor car driver hired a private investigator to locate their son after he stole $375,000 from his own armor car!.

Here is the story quote:

A former armored car driver who stole nearly $375,000 in cash and checks from his work vehicle, then fled to Mexico and partied for a week, was sentenced Wednesday to 18 months in federal prison.

Phillip Salcedo Jr., 23, (pictured, left) also was ordered to repay more than $86,000.

He pleaded guilty March 17 to knowingly and intentionally transporting stolen money from the United States to Mexico.

The father of two, who had no criminal record, fled San Diego Jan. 23 with $139,000 in cash and $235,000 in checks made out to businesses, according to court papers.

The former altar boy had been on the job with Loomis, Fargo $#138; Co. for six weeks when he dropped off his partner at their last pickup site downtown and disappeared.

The armored vehicle was found abandoned on Third Avenue, north of Broadway, with the engine running and the driver's door open.

Salcedo fled to Rosarito, where someone spotted him ditching money bags in a seaside garbage can, San Diego police said.

Then a private investigator Salcedo's parents hired found him partying at a Cabo San Lucas nightspot on Jan. 30.

Salcedo had $11,000 in U.S. currency in his pockets and another $94,000 in his hotel room when Mexican police detained him, prosecutor Robert Ciaffa said.

The defendant's family offered to repay $34,000 that was still missing.

Salcedo faced a maximum of 10 years in prison.


(Keep you eyes on your local headlines. Perhaps the parents of suspected criminals would be a possible client for you to locate before the authorities do. The story above appears to show the parents were motivated in locating their son to hep make restitution and to keep the family name clean.)

[May K. Toney]

This is another great story Robert. But it seems to me that the prison sentence is rather light considering that this criminal received only 18 months. That doesn't appear to create much of a deterent to like minded thieves.

Just my 2 cents. Enjoy the day.

[Carolynne Giffoni]

May,

I have to agree with you. Until the punishment fits the crime it will continue. He's lucky he didn't end up in a Mexican prison though. I hear that's really unpleasant.:D

Carolynne

[Amanda Monroe]

I would say the defendant has a pretty nice family offering to repay 34,000 that was still missing. It may have been to keep the family name clean, but I wonder if they thought this might lesson the time in jail for their son. Makes you wonder, If paying restitution helped with the jail sentence. I hope the son thanked his parents.

[Kathleen Padgett]

I also believe that 18 months for this type of crime is too light of a sentence, particularly since the guideline for sentencing carried a 10 year prison term. It doesn't seem to provide the opportunity for this criminal to take responsibility for his actions and to serve out an adequate punishment/sentence.

This guy set a pretty bad example for his children as well:(

[Patrice-Maria Love]

This offender's sentence was too light. Also he wasn't accountable because his parents paid the debt. I wouldn't be surprise if he does this again when he is released thinking of a slicker way not to get caught.

[Richard Maxwell]

Before we judge him too harshly, remember, this was a first offense and in most states the sentencing guidelines allow for a more lenient sentence in this type situation.

I served on a jury in Texas a few years back. The 18 year old defendant was charged with drug trafficking and felony assault and battery. It was his third strike when we convicted him and we were required to give this kid a minimum of 25 years and a maximum of life. We deliberated for 4 days on the sentence (we took three hours to find him guilty). He got 40 years. None of us felt good about it but this guy was a habitual offender and showed no remorse.

Hopefully this guy suffered a one time lapse in judgement. Sending him into the prison system 18 months may get him staightened out..

[Prem Prasad]

I strongly believe in your opinion Robert. Justice is given to this man who has set a good example for his children. I hope that this punishment will teach him a lesson.

[Victoria S Kinney]

Has anyone heard what kind of sentence he did recieve? There are not many parents who would be willing to pay for their childrens mistakes unless you are very rich, his parents probably has to mortage their home I hope his grateful to his parents and that he doesn't do this again. Only time will tell.

[Patti Schubert]

I would like to know what was his reason for doing this in the first place. :confused:

Patti

[Katrina Burton Todd]

Thanks Robert for sharing this story. It's appalling that Phillip only got about 18 months in prison. The only thing that probably saved him from getting more time was because he had no criminal record prior to that incident. In the federal system they are base on a points system which determines who much time you will serve. :mad:

[Tammy Rose]

I agree it is a great story. Was wondering where the crime took place? If it were Indiana he might have only served 9 months because as I understand it here it is 2 for 1.

Have a nice day! TJ

[Timmons J Longberry]

I heard this Story this morning. not sure of exatct date or location that this took place,

The story says a Florida truck driver Picked up a 45,000 lb load of nickles (approx $180,000) and has disappeared. they didn't know if he was hijacked or took the money
and disappeard. that was all I heard about it. Not sure if this is an old story or what. haven't seen or heard anything on the news about it other than that.

[John Palmer]

I wonder if he committed armed robbery--since he was armed during the commission of this crime (although he didn't apparently 'use' his weapon at the time.

I think the Judge was lenient as deference to the perps family. The family were arguably the real victims in this to (as was the armored car company and its clients).

[Debra Goff]

I would like to know what was his reason for doing this in the first place. :confused:

Patti

Patti,

I agree with you.

Let's ask the questions first. Before we accuse and blame. As investigators, we need to get all the answers.

Sincerely, Deb

[Shawn Atkinson]

I was a Corrections Officer for three years, and in that time, I saw many of the people incarcerated for various crimes, get various sentences. It all depends on the motive, prior criminal history, education, etc. There are so many variables.

I saw a man, involved in an armor car robbery and accessory to second degree murder of an armored security guard, receive less than a 30 year sentence. This same man should have received a life sentence because he was convicted of these charges. He was a very educated man, had a Bachelors Degree, spoke 4 different languages, and his parents were very political and monetarily influential. He is supposed to be up for parole in 5 years.

I hate to say it, but this is the way the system works, and it is the only system we have, so we can only hope it will provide justice. There are many flaws in the Justice System but if all who are involved in upholding the law, follow their "p's" and "q's", and do not let temptation grab a hold of their morale values, then the system will prevail in an honest, ethical manner.

Shawn

[Flora Porter]

I was a Corrections Officer for three years, and in that time, I saw many of the people incarcerated for various crimes, get various sentences. It all depends on the motive, prior criminal history, education, etc. There are so many variables.

I saw a man, involved in an armor car robbery and accessory to second degree murder of an armored security guard, receive less than a 30 year sentence. This same man should have received a life sentence because he was convicted of these charges. He was a very educated man, had a Bachelors Degree, spoke 4 different languages, and his parents were very political and monetarily influential. He is supposed to be up for parole in 5 years.

I hate to say it, but this is the way the system works, and it is the only system we have, so we can only hope it will provide justice. There are many flaws in the Justice System but if all who are involved in upholding the law, follow their "p's" and "q's", and do not let temptation grab a hold of their morale values, then the system will prevail in an honest, ethical manner.

Shawn
Shawn,
Thanks for posting. I have to admit we should follow our
"p" and "q" to help the system prevail for justice. ;)



PI FPorter

[Mario Alcantara]

I agree with everyone else but that's just how the system work's it might seem
to short for us but i bet it's a really long time for those who get sentence,and yes we should follow our "p"s and "q"s to help the system.

[Kenneth Owens]

I give a great job done to the P.I. whom tracked him done. That was a job well done. As far as the boy only getting 18 months in prison, that is a joke. If you want to stop people from commiting a crime than be strict with the law. What does that say to other criminals? The boy should thank his parents because he is an adult and they could have let him take his dose like a man. I wouldn't do that for my children. You do the crime, you do the time. That is the way I was raised and it kept me out of trouble. The boy should have gotten the full 10 years, maybe with parole after 7 years. Just my opinion.

[Patricia Zeiger]

His sentence was way too light!! He should have been sentenced to, at least, couple of years.

[Yolanda Hernandez]

Patti,

I agree with you.

Let's ask the questions first. Before we accuse and blame. As investigators, we need to get all the answers.

Sincerely, Deb

You are correct. We need to answer all the 5 W's and analyze the report. How did it started? Why did he do it? Who else is behind this? Did he act alone or with others? What was his motivation? Did he just want attention? Are his parents blaming themselves? What kind of background does he have? Education? What if any, records had he had prior to this incident? For one thing we know, he crossed the line, another jurisdiction. But the crime was committed here in the United States. Making it a federal offense.

That is one of the reasons why when something is reported, all one hears is "It is still under investigation" or "Until further investigation" because it has to be sorted, to get all the facts straight and release to the judge, lawyers, and most important the public.

Have a great afternoon.

[Curtis Blodgett]

Tracking down someone even in this country can be difficult and time consuming. Finding someone in another country can almost be impossible. Congratulations to the investigator who found him.