Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza was in a dentist's chair in Palomas, Mexico, Sunday morning having a root canal done when two gunmen came in and robbed the dentist, the Deming Headlight reported.

"I went down there to get some dental work done," Espinoza told the Headlight. "I was in the chair, the dentist (Felipe Salazar) was doing a root canal. A couple of guys came in and robbed the dentist."

The two men who appeared to be in their mid-20s, wearing hooded sweatshirts with the hoods pulled over their heads, walked into the office which is just inside Palomas, brandishing Tech-9 pistols, Espinoza said.

It was just about 9:30 in the morning, said the mayor, who told the Headlight he wasn't threatened or robbed, but he said they told Salazar "Give me your money and give me your wallet."

"I left my wallet in the car," said Espinoza. "I understand they got a couple of grand from the doctor. They knew the layout of the office."

Espinoza said his dental work wasn't finished, for obvious reasons.

"I didn't have any fear about going to Palomas, before. Now, I do," said Espinoza. "I have to go back and finish it up. I don't know whether to go back."

Espinoza said he reported the incident to the office of Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., who met last week with Mexican officials about escalating violence in the border town across from Columbus and said he was promised more security on the Mexican side of the border, the Headlight said.

There have been several shootings and at least two deaths reported in recent weeks -- with many more rumored shootings and deaths -- reportedly among rival gangs fighting for control of the lucrative drug trade along the border, the Headlight reported. 

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE