ATTEMPTED INTRUSION INTO USAID BUILDING TEGUCIGALPA

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002516 SIPDIS FOR DS/DSS, DS/IP/ITA, DS/IP/WHA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC SUBJECT: ATTEMPTED INTRUSION INTO USAID BUILDING TEGUCIGALPA ¶1. (SBU) Summary: At approximately 1710 hours on 12/14/2005, RSO was notified by the Local Guard Force (LGF) that an unknown Honduran male entered the USAID building through the main pedestrian exit. The intruder, who was unarmed but acting in an irrational and paranoid manner, was handcuffed and subsequently transported by LGF personnel to the local police station. No injuries were reported. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) At approximately 1700 hours on 12/14/2005, an Honduran male ran into the main pedestrian exit for the USAID building, which is located directed across the street from the U.S. Embassy. The intruder ran into the building after a USAID employee opened the door to exit. The guard stationed in the control booth just inside this exit door immediately locked it down. The door leading to the interior of the building was already locked, so the subject was then trapped inside the Public Access Control (PAC) area along with two female USAID employees who happened to be exiting the facility at that same time. The intruder was acting extremely irrational, flailing his arms around, and yelling incoherently. The guard then opened the door to allow the employees out of the PAC and into the building. The guard then wrestled the intruder to the ground and handcuffed him. A subsequent bodily search of the subject revealed no weapons. Although quite frightened, neither employee was injured. ¶3. (SBU) At 1710 hours, RSO was notified by the LGF contractor, Inter-Con, of the situation. The two ARSO's responded to the scene and obtained the subject's documentation and questioned him. The intruder, identified as Calixto Ponce Rodriguez, DOB 02/01/1965,a Honduran citizen with ID number 0801-1965-00661, was continuing to act irrational and was becoming increasing agitated. He stated that he was robbed by four or five MS-13 gang members and was running from them and entered the USAID facility in order to escape their pursuit. There are no witnesses to support this story, and RSO believes it to be fabricated. According to the LGF Commander on the scene, the subject is known in the area as a mentally unstable drug addict. It was RSO's opinion that the subject was indeed suffering from a mental illness and/or under the influence of drugs. ¶4. (SBU) At 1750 hours, Inter-Con guards transferred the subject to the local police station, where he is being held for 24 hours. RSO has instructed the LGF Commander to notify all perimeter guards and the Surveillance Detection team to immediately report any future sightings of subject. Ford