SAO PAULO CONSULATE FSN ASSAULTED AT GUNPOINT

UNCLAS SAO PAULO 001379 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR DS, DS/DSS, DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/DSS/OSAC, WHA/EX AND WHA/BSC,CA/OCS/ACS/WHA, POSTS FOR RSO AND PSO, PASS TO TSA AND DHS AT POSTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC BR CA KCRM SC SUBJECT: SAO PAULO CONSULATE FSN ASSAULTED AT GUNPOINT REF: SAO PAULO 1356 ¶1. (U) On Wednesday, 12/14/05 at approximately 2130 hours, a locally employed Brazilian staff member was assaulted at gunpoint while stopped in traffic in her vehicle. According to the victim's accounts, 2 males and an elderly female approached her vehicle at a traffic light. One of the males asked the victim to take the elderly female to a local hospital. When the victim refused to roll down her car window, one of the males aimed a pistol at her head and ordered her to exit the vehicle. The victim was then placed in the back-seat of the vehicle where the perpetrator held a "moist cloth" with "chemicals" over her nose and mouth. Nearly 12 hours later, the victim said she regained consciousness at approximately 0900 hours on 12/15/05. When she did regain consciousness, the victim stated that she was inside her own vehicle within close proximity to the traffic light where the incident reportedly occurred. None of her valuables, including cash and credit cards were missing and she did not report any injuries. ¶2. (U) On 12/15/05, the RSO office immediately instructed the employee to seek medical attention and file a police report. RSO and local FSNIs are currently following up with the police, medical personnel and the victim to further investigate this incident. ¶3. (U) It is noteworthy that the street on which this incident occurred is frequently used as a main traffic artery for people traveling to and from Sao Paulo's domestic airport (Congonhas). The street is lined with illegally erected low-income housing slums. The RSO office is currently analyzing viable alternate vehicle routes to the Congonhas airport and these alternate routes are being included in the pending security notice advising employees of this incident. ¶4. (U) On the morning of 12/15/05, the RSO office also received initial reports of an armed robbery that occurred inside Sao Paulo's international airport (Cumbica) . The Spouse of the Honorary Consul General of Honduras was reportedly robbed at gunpoint directly in front of the American Airlines ticket counter by a male dressed in a suit and tie. There were no reports of any injuries or arrests following the robbery. RSO and FSNIs have made inquiries to airport police authorities to obtain additional details regarding this incident. RSO will provide additional information should it become available. MCMULLEN