Case 4: Corruption

1

Mark Rivera must be the key to this mystery. I think I'm dealing with something far darker than I originally thought. I should go to Mark's work again...

I've planted the bug on Mark's vehicle... let the games begin...

 

Spy on the Border Patrol Office

 

Spy on Black SUV

2

It should pick up a very strong signal. I can find out where exactly he stops to meet the person in the black SUV.

 

3

Last time, he left at 2:15 PM. Let's see if it's the same time.

 

4

The SUV arrived at the office at 1:20 PM. The SUV will probably leave with Mark soon.

 

5

The black SUV is just waiting right outside the parking lot for Mark... I can't see anyone inside.

 

6

The license plate is 8SRZ990, so I'll figure out who the driver is after I locate Mark in the desert.

 

7

I think this is a strong possibility, but I can't say for sure.

 

8

The same Latino man from last time is now watching this black SUV. Who is this guy?

 

Watch the Latino Man

 

9

He is in a suit, he may or may not be armed. He is waiting for something...

 

10

He keeps looking at his phone, then the Border Patrol office, then the black SUV.

 

11

I think he is making sure Mark comes out on time... or maybe he is texting Mark, I don't know.

 

12

He's leaving again... what is he doing? Well, it's almost time, Mark should come out soon.

 

 

13

It's 2:15 PM, I see Mark coming out of the office.

There he goes along with the black SUV.

 

*Follow Mark and the black SUV*

 

Mark... Why are you here? This place is so desolate.

I couldn't get any closer or he would have seen me. Mark drove off into the desert. Let's see what coordinates he stops at.

Let's see where he goes.

Damn, there aren't any cell towers out here... the bug I put on his vehicle isn't working...

Is this why he meets out here?

Yes... Mark must meet out here because he really wants to be hidden...

I'll need to think of another way...

I should investigate the black SUV.

 

Investigate Black SUV

 

14

Luckily, I took note of the license plate. Public records of registered vehicles are saying the owner is Antonio Luis.

 

15

Well, I know for a fact, he is connected with Mark Rivera, who I suspect is engaging in criminal activity.

 

16

I'll get my trusted CRA (Consumer Report Agent) and request a report on Antonio Luis.

 

Background Check Antonio Luis

 

17

He lives in San Diego, about a two-hour drive from Los Angeles.

 

18

He is a Border Patrol security guard at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

 

19

Antonio has been working at San Ysidro for almost three years.

 

20

Antonio Luis moved to San Diego from Juarez, Mexico in 1996.

 

21

His criminal record is spotless.

 

22

I'm going to San Diego.

 

 

23

*Drive to San Diego*

 

Time is of the essence... let's move.

I need to find a vantage point... I'll use my binoculars to spy on Border Patrol.

It's already 90 degrees, and it's only 9:00 AM. San Diego is even hotter than Los Angeles.

I need to get a good vantage point to watch the San Ysidro station.

I'll use my binoculars and watch the San Ysidro station from high ground.

Antonio should be working already...

I can see a similar-looking vehicle. I think that's the black SUV.

 

Spy on San Ysidro

 

24

The scene is just a bunch of vehicles moving through a Border Patrol port. The guards stop large vehicles and check inside them. Some smaller vehicles are also thoroughly checked. I don't know which man is Antonio Luis.

 

25

There are a lot of guards, more than 20. Also, most of them are armed with weapons. This place is no joke, the San Ysidro Port is heavily protected and secure.

 

26

He is one of the security guards... Hmm, well, if I suspect Antonio of committing crimes, what illegal things could he be doing here?

 

27

The port is regularly used most days, but weekends and Fridays are very busy. Wednesday is the least busy day for this port of entry, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

 

28

Well, there could be more men because Antonio's vehicle definitely could hold a group of men, and no one would even know because of the black windows. It's strange that Antonio works as a Border Patrol guard, and Mark works in the Border Patrol office...

 

 

29

Wow, it's already 5:00 PM!

Everything was normal. I think I should watch him again on Monday, the day before he goes to Los Angeles.

 

*Spy on Ysidro on Monday*

 

Well, he's here again, and it's Monday... Tomorrow, he leaves for Los Angeles to meet Mark Rivera.

 

*Wait for Antonio to be done with work.*

 

He's taking a different way home. He might not be going home...

 

*Follow Antonio*

 

So just like Mark, Antonio doesn't always go directly home. Let's see where he goes first.

 

Quick Analysis

 

30

So... on Mondays, Antonio takes a different way home? This must have something to do with meeting Mark the following day.

 

31

I wonder what he needs to do before seeing Mark the next day... Maybe he is delivering something to Mark?

 

32

The following Monday, I need to tail him after work. I'll wait at a parking lot a mile away and follow him.

 

 

33

If Antonio is Mark's boss, then it's possible Antonio was the one who caused Rich's disappearance... not Mark.

 

34

I will find out soon enough... next Monday.

 

35

*Follow Antonio*

 

He just pulled into a Mexican restaurant... I guess he is getting dinner?

 

*Go into the restaurant*

 

Antonio is sitting with another man, they are casually talking.

 

*Keep an eye on Antonio*

 

The other man is elegantly dressed, he looks important.

The man just handed Antonio something...

Antonio received an envelope from the other man. What is in that envelope?

This sounds crazy, but is Antonio part of the Mexican Drug Cartel?

Some of his behavior suggests he's part of the cartel.

How are Mark and Antonio connected?

Is Mark part of the cartel? There's no way a cartel member would be okay with hiring a private investigator... right?

 

Conclude Investigation

1. What kind of restaurant did Antonio meet the man at?

  • American
  • Italian
  • Mexican
  • Chinese

 

2. What was in the envelope that Antonio was given?

  • Instructions to kill
  • Invitation
  • Money
  • Drugs

 

3. Which city does Antonio work in?

  • Los Angeles
  • San Diego
  • San Francisco
  • San Jose

 

4. Do Mark and Antonio work for the same organization?

  • No
  • Yes

 

5. Is Antonio a corrupt border security guard?

  • No
  • Yes

Correct Answers

1. What kind of restaurant did Antonio meet the man at?

  • Mexican

 

2. What was in the envelope that Antonio was given?

  • Money

 

3. Which city does Antonio work in?

  • San Diego

 

4. Do Mark and Antonio work for the same organization?

  • Yes

 

5. Is Antonio a corrupt border security guard?

  • Yes

I hoped to be wrong... but I think this is worse than anyone expected... I think Mark Rivera is part of the Sinaloa Cartel.