By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I've created a new forum to discuss the murder of Toni Grossi Abrams and the eventual trial of Debra Ann Ridgley as a suspect in that case. Interested readers have been posting comments to the articles related to this subject, but the material would be better handled in a Forum setting designed for comments and replies. So, please use the Forum rather than the comments section for an ongoing back-and-forth discussion. Thanks.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Now that the case file for the murder of Toni Grossi Abrams is available in the judicial system you can expect a burst of interest in the case. In fact, Debra Ann Ridgley, who is accused of having murdered Toni Grossi Abrams in her apartment on 9 April 2007, will not be going before a judge until March 2009. At this point no one else is covering this story and in fact not much has changed. Friends of Debra's, some of whom I have met and other's I've spoken to on the phone, have posted comments in her defense. Whatever is in the case file (and whatever I report on here) are the statements of those witnesses. They are not reflections of what I think. As a matter of fact what I believe doesn't mean a damn thing. Debra Ann Ridgley has to defend herself in a Panamanian court. She will be confronted with the evidence that resides in those case files. And, a judge (or jury, most likely) will decide her guilt or innocence. So please, try to keep things separate. For example, the cab driver said the following in his statement (and I quote...) That's not what I think - it's what he said in a sworn statement. And, there's a big difference between those two things. I just wanted to make that perfectly clear.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Today I was up at the Supreme Court building for some other business and I stopped in to check on the Toni Grossi-Abrams murder case file. The last time I checked it was still at the prosecutor's office but today (surprise) all five volumes were at the courthouse. I only had a couple of minutes, and no where near enough time to read through and analyze all five volumes, but I know enough about the case to be able to flip to the key declaration - that made by the cab driver who picked up the trip in front of the Atlantis building and who drove them to Rio Abajo. (more)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I just received word today of another home invasion robbery of an American expat living in Chiriquí. The assault and robbery actually occurred about three weeks ago but the victim is basically a private person and did not want the details of his experience known to the general public. Now, three weeks after the original assault the victim was returned to the hospital where he had to undergo emergency surgery to relieve swelling in the brain, resulting from the trauma of the beating he took during the robbery. The details of this assault were given to me as follows, and I'm going to edit out the identifying information to protect the privacy and identity of the victim. And as usual, I'm publishing this so that the rest of the members of the community can know what's going on, and to encourage you all to take increased safety and security measures at home. (more)

By Irlanda Sotillo e Hilda Bernal for La Estrella de Panama - The news was surprising. It was known that the "Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia" (FARC) operated in Panama, but a news report from the American ABC News put the country on alert. At issue is the case of Cuban-American businessman Cecilio Juan Padrón who was kidnapped in Costa del Este. Authorities of the government of the United States confirmed to this newspaper that Padrón is being held by the FARC. The FBI and authorities in Bogota are investigating the kidnapping. This crime not only aggravates the atmosphere of insecurity in the nation, but it can also cause a negative impact and scare away investors. Analyst Renato Pereira said "Panama has become a market for kidnapping, and this can cause a negative impact among investors." Sociologist Raúl Leis said he did not know much about the case, but added that because Panama is an open country for business, it becomes an "area of influence to break the law, not only by the FARC but also by drug traffickers on both borders." The information also caused restlessness in the business sector. The President of the National Council of Private Companies (CONEP) Severo Sousa was surprised, "it is worrisome to see how this type of kidnapping is intensifying." He urged the Embassy of the United States to help if they have proof. Retired General Rubén Darío Paredes was more cautious, he thinks it would be better to wait for the DIJ to confirm if the FARC was involved.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - (Source: Judicial Press Release) Judge Rolando Quezada Vallespi of Panama's First Criminal Circuit Court found bus owner Ariel Ortega Justavino and his brother, the driver of bus B-06 Prospero Ortega Justavino criminally responsible and sentenced them each to a primary penalty of 40 months in prison, with additional provisions to keep them from driving a motor vehicle, which expires at the same time as the primary prison sentence. Ariel Ortega, the owner of the bus, was sentenced as the author of the crime and Próspero Ortega, the driver of the bus, was sentenced as an accomplice; they are both being held as responsible for the crime of manslaughter and damages to the occupants of bus number 8-B-06, which caught fire on 26 October 2006 in the sector of La Cresta were 18 people burned to death. The judge decided that the windows of the bus were blocked and would not allow for a person to escape in an emergency. Both were sentenced to 48 months, which was reduced by 1/6th (8 months reduced) because they asked for and received and abbreviated process.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

PANAMA CITY (AP) — A Cuban-American businessman on the board of an influential anti-Castro organization has been kidnapped in Panama, officials said Wednesday. The attorney general's office said three police officers have been arrested in connection with the abduction of Cecilio Padron, and authorities are searching for two other suspects. The officers face charges of depriving someone of their freedom, a less serious charge than kidnapping because no ransom has been requested, officials said. Luis Martinez, a top federal police investigator, declined to give details, saying only that Padron, 66, was kidnapped April 4. He was last seen in an exclusive residential section in Panama City, where he has lived for several years. A police spokesman, who was not authorized to give his name, said that a Colombian reportedly was the mastermind behind the kidnapping. He would not say more and Martinez declined to comment on the nationalities of those involved. The director of the judicial police, Ayu Prado, has said Padron's relatives told him they were contacted by his captors who indicated Padron is alive. Padron is a director of the Cuban American National Foundation, a politically influential organization based in Florida that lobbies for U.S. pressure on the Cuban government of Fidel and Raul Castro. "We are aware of his abduction and wish that the matter would be resolved as quickly as possible," said foundation spokeswoman Sandy Acosta Cox.

El Siglo - Authorities from the United States have confirmed the kidnapping of Cuban-American businessman Cecilio Juan Padrón has the marks of the Colombian "Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionaria de Colombia" (FARC) guerrilla group. And it is that, precisely, in the file regarding this case there is a report on investigations completed by the Anti Drug Office of the United States; in addition, in the US Embassy in Bogota, a photo of the man has been published. Cecilio Juan Padrón, 66 years-old, according to official information, was kidnapped at the Zeus Towers building in the exclusive Costa del Este sector of Panama City in the Parque Lefevre area, demonstrating that the FARC guerrillas are operating throughout the national territory, even in the Capital City, proving they are no longer only a security problem Darién province. (more)

Panama America - The Mayor of Panama City asked the Direction of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) to investigate the fire that happened at the Cerro Patacón landfill yesterday to determine if it was a case of arson. After making pertinent investigations, the head of the landfill, Alonso Filós and his team at the Direction of Cleanliness, said the fire was caused by people other than those who work at the landfill. Filós said the lawyers for the institution filed a complaint with the DIJ so that the events are investigated. The Deputy Commander of the Fire Department of Panama, Cecilio Lasso, said the fire was under control and that they will conclude their work to extinguish the fire today.

(From 27 April 2008) La Prensa - Police have few leads in kidnapping . Police have few leads in the April 3 kidnapping of Cuban-American businessman Cecilio Padrón, who was kidnapped near the Zeus Tower in Costa del Este. They have arrested three officers in connection with the case. The officers have admitted they accepted $500 each to "scare" Padrón, but denied knowing anything about a kidnapping. Dirección de Investigación Judicial (DIJ) Director José Ayú Prado said that authorities have heard a number of rumors about the case. One of those rumors is that the Colombian-based FARC is involved, but there is no concrete evidence linking it to the case. "We can't rule out any possibilities in this case," Prado said. Complicating matters is that neither police nor Padrón's family has received any ransom demands or information regarding the victim's location.

(From 26 April 2008) By Rafael Luna Noguera for La Prensa - Upon confessing before authorities of the Panamanian Auxiliary Prosecutor of their participation in the kidnapping of Cuban-American businessman Cecilio Padrón on 3 April 2008, the three police officers involved said they were paid $500 dollars each. Public Ministry sources said the former police officers, who remain in custody, said the basis of the case was supposedly a debt the businessman has, but said they were only paid to "scare" Padrón.

(From 13 April 2008) By Rafael Luna Noguera for La Prensa - So far there have been no signs of the businessman Padrón. As of today (13 April 2008) it's been ten days since the Cuban-American businessman Cecilio Padrón disappeared when arriving at the Torre Zeus of Costa del Este. The Director (in charge) of the Direction of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) Jose Ayú Prado, told RPC Radio said that the case still can not be called a kidnapping because there has been no request for a ransom, there are no suspects, no one has been arrested or detained, and they are investigating the finances and intimate surroundings of Padrón, in search of elements to clarify the case. He said they are worried, because Padrón is not only a recognized businessman, but that he also has ties to Cuban diplomats in the country.

(From 23 April 2008) By Carlos Carrillo for La Prensa - The Director of Judicial Investigations of the National Police, Jose Ayú Prado said there are three police officers implicated in the kidnapping of Cuban-American businessman Cecilio Padrón who was kidnapped this past 4 April 2008. Ayú Prado said the Auxiliary Prosecutor will be formalizing charges against the police officers. He added that there are others involved in the case who will also be charged. The Director of Judicial Investigations said those who have kidnapped Cecilio Padrón still have not asked for a ransom for the freedom of the 66 year-old businessman.

By JASON RYAN and KIRIT RADIA for ABC News - Photos of three Americans held by Colombian guerrillas are displayed prominently in the lobby of the U.S. Embassy in Bogota — and there might soon be an addition to that wall. U.S. officials say members of the rebel group Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) allegedly kidnapped a Cuban-American businessman in Panama. Members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, allegedly targeted Cecilio Juan Padron, a Cuban-American man on a business trip in Panama earlier this month, U.S. law enforcement and diplomatic officials told ABC News. Padron was reportedly kidnapped by the FARC in Panama City, Panama. Three Panamanian police officers were allegedly involved in the April 4 kidnapping and then turned Padron, a Cuban exile with dual citizenship, over to the FARC for an unspecified sum of money, according to a U.S. law enforcement official.

By Meredith Serracin for the Panama America - Eight bundles of suspected drugs were seized at dawn this morning by the National Police. The operation was focused on an area near one of the lighthouses located under the Bridge of the Americas, where a man and a woman were arrested, and they were accompanied by a minor. Later the operation moved to the Centennial Bridge where authorities found a vehicle that was supposed to be used to move the drugs.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Armed gunmen tried to steal $50,000 in cash from the safe of a real estate company in El Cangrejo yesterday in broad daylight. The robbery was thwarted by American Daniel Richardson who works for the company. Two assailants entered the office in the morning, and were in the lobby entry area when Daniel came in to work. He walked into the office and then went straight into the office of his boss, General Manager Marina Gonzalez to check in for the day. The two assailants followed him into her office, pointed a gun at his head, and ordered him to his knees. He raised his hands and went down on one knee, and the second assailant moved in behind him with a zip-tie, intending to tie his hands. Daniel decided to act. He grabbed the gun, pulled the barrel down and toard the ground, and wrestled for control of the weapon. Then, the gun discharged... (more)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - Another follow-up posting from the Americans in Panama Yahoo email group, also from another recent victim of a home invasion robbery in Cerro Cama: "yes same here , they have arrested and released 3 of the 5 men responsible for breaking into our home and shooting 4 times at us. 2 were minors at the time now 18 so we will see how this works out. we to now have bars on the windows , motion lights all around , alarms set inside at all three doors and loaded guns at ready . we will not open the gate to anyone after dark and have a trap door to the attic if we have to hide ? we had none of these things when we were attacked it has been an expensive lesson."

Learn From The Mistakes of Others: Do so, and we will probably never hear about you. "The plane landed safely and without incident" makes a for a poor headline. Cheers.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - The following was posted to the Americans in Panama Yahoo! email group this morning - "5 arrested in Bejuco-finally: After two months, I heard last night that the Policia finally gathered up those responsible for the break-in in February, and have the banditos. We lost three computers, passport, briefcase of docs, some tools and other valuables. We were not home, which is good, but the feeling of "being violated" will probably linger on forever. It took awhile, but at least some action has taken place. Security at my new casa is much improved. (more)

La Critica - At dawn this morning three assailants bound and gagged an entire family in Sector 1 of the Barriada Dos Mil in the District of Arraiján, stealing about $1,000 in cash and valuables. According to statements made by the owner of the residence, Yolanda Balderrama, the subjects poisoned the dogs and entered the house, gaging her husband and their oldest son. Balderrama said the assailants were armed and that they yelled at them to give them everything they had, valuables and money. A neighbor of the victims noticed what was going on and called the police, but by the time they arrived the assailants had already left in a vehicle they had waiting for them outside. Police authorities conducted an operation to try to catch the thieves in the area, but so far no one has been arrested.

La Critica - Panama's Fourth Superior Prosecutor has charged two construction workers, members of the "Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Perforaciones de Panamá" (SINDICOPP) (National Union of Construction and Perforation Workers of Panama), for their presumed involvement in the shooting death of construction worker Osvaldo Lorenzo which occurred on 14 August 2007 near the site of a construction project to expand the Panamá-Colón highway. Prosecutor Ramsés Barrera announced the decision who indicated investigators have yet to establish the relationship between those who are supposedly involved with the death of Lorenzo. In addition to these two workers (who have been charged) there are two more people tied to the events who remain in custody and under orders of the corresponding authorities. Osvaldo Lorenzo, who was member of the "Sindicato Único de Trabajadores de la Construcción y Similares" (SUNTRACS) (Unique Union of Construction Workers) died during a protest carried out in a part of the lands where the new road is being constructed.

La Critica - During an operative police seized 157 kilos of cocaine in the sector of Mendoza in La Chorrera that was being transported in a light 4x4 white truck. The seizure took place when authorities began a pursuit that ended when the driver of the vehicle lost control and rolled the vehicle. According to preliminary information police arrested a Colombian who was riding in the vehicle, but a second suspect escaped. In spite of an extensive operation mounted this morning before dawn police still had not been able to capture the other suspect.

By Elio Núñez for El Siglo - According to Costa Rican OIJ investigators, Melquiades Espinoza Villarreal (a.k.a. 'Anel), 35 years old from Chiriqui, is the person responsible for the deaths of seven Panamanians in Costa Rican territory, among them the five Panamanians assassinated in Costa Rica this year. Espinoza Villarreal was arrested on Thursday night at his residence in an area known as San Jorge in Golfito in Costa Rica, close to the Panamanian border. The Chief of the OIJ in Costa Rica Jorge Rojas confirmed that the man is being process for seven homicides and that there are another three cases pending. Espinoza Villarreal, who lived in Chiriquí and who recently fled to live in Costa Rica, is charged in the deaths of Panamanians Abner Darío Moreno, Carlos Javier Espinoza Torres, Ángel Manuel Pinzón Bazán, Víctor Navarro Otero, alias 'Coquito' and Eliécer 'El Chino' Estribí Guerra who were killed near Paso Canoas. (more)

By DON WINNER for Panama-Guide.com - I received this email today from a reader: "Today I was a victim of a Movistar Scam. I received a call say that it was the Movistar Anniversary and I was a winner of $3,000 dollars. Movistar has $125,000 dollars to give to customers all I have to do is buy 6 cards at $15 dollars and they will call me back. This I did and asked a friend to take the call as the translator (because all of this) was quite confusing. The caller was very convincing he asked me to give him the numbers from the cards, I queried that how can I be sure he is not just taking my money. He said he would put this money on my phone and I could claim it back. After the first card he said he would send through confirmation that the monies went on my phone, it was very convincing and was done in the same format as Movistar. After he received info of all the cards he said my $3,000 dollars was secure and would I like to win a car money or a new home, for this I must buy another 15 cards. I said this was impossible (that I could not buy any more card.) Then he said he would do a deal - that I should buy only 7 but again this I refused. This caller gave information where to collect monies from in Balboa at a lawyers office etc` He also asked that I delete any messages as there would be more from Movistar concerning this deal. This I did not do. The number used to send messages was (507) 6496-3373. After all this I telephoned Movistar and of course there was no such deal. I am going to the Movistar office tomorrow to see if they can trace anything!! Please warn your readers of this. Regards Cilla Walsh."

Just A Reminder: Movistar does not have any kind of a sweepstakes or prize which requires you to go out and buy cards. What these guys do is have you punch the numbers into your phone (while you're connected) and they capture the digits. They are basically just stealing your money - you buy the cards and they end up with the calling time, which they resell. Don't fall for this one, it's a common scam here.

Copyright 2008 by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com. Go ahead and use whatever you like as long as you credit the source. Salud.