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