Angry Mexicans Try to Lynch Baby-Snatch Suspects

August 2, 2000

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Furious residents of a central Mexican town went on a rampage when police refused to let them lynch a couple who the rioters believed were sacrificing children in satanic rituals, officials said on Tuesday.

Officials in Puebla state said 300 residents of the town of Tecamachalco torched police cars, destroyed bank cash machines and set fire to traffic lights on Monday night because they thought two alleged baby-snatchers held in the local jail would be freed.

State authorities sent 100 riot police and 50 firemen to protect the town hall, where the jail is located.

On Tuesday, the situation had calmed down. But the standoff continued outside the town hall, although the suspects -- a 55-year-old man and 45-year-old woman -- were transferred to another prison in the state capital Puebla, 62 miles (100 km) southeast of Mexico City.

Puebla state secretary Carlos Alberto Julian said the rioters and vandals would be punished, and he also promised residents to ensure justice was enforced in the case of the alleged child kidnappers.

The suspects were allegedly caught with three infants authorities accused them of kidnapping.

After their arrest, the rumor spread in Tecamachalco that the pair were part of a black magic cult that sacrificed babies in satanic rituals, residents said.