Three arrested, burn-out ute found amid search for Aussie brothers missing in Mexico
A new clue has been found in the search for missing Australian brothers Jake and Callum Robinson, as Mexican police made three arrests they believe are connected to the case.
National
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Three people have been arrested after two Australian brothers went missing in Mexico, as search crews found a burnt-out ute and tents believed to be linked to the case.
According to local media, a 25-year-old woman is being held in connection to the case after she was found to be in possession of a mobile phone belonging to one of the brothers as well as methamphetamine.
Two males were also arrested alongside the female.
Former FBI agent Phil Andrew said the developments were alarming.
“(I think) that this is probably some sort of organised attempt to either rob or kidnap these folks and let’s remain hopeful that something worse hasn’t happened and there is still an opportunity to resolve this in a way that Jake, Callum and Jack are safe,” Mr Andrew said on Sunrise.
“But it’s helpful that we’ve got additional witnesses or perhaps perpetrators that we can learn more information from.”
Mr Andrew said there were many challenges to the investigation given the remote location.
“They’re in an area that is difficult to police and very remote and there is reports of increased level of crime there,” he said.
He added: “We want to be hopeful but it is of concern.”
Mr Andrew said the FBI’s involvement was a huge advantage in the search.
“It’s certainly helpful to have American law enforcement, particularly the FBI working this. They’ll be working this in conjunction with their counterparts in Mexico. They’ll be able to leverage a number of technical and other sophisticated investigative techniques to hopefully resolve this positively.”
Mr Andrew said it was too early to say how this would play out.
“The phone being picked up without more details, it could be that it was stolen or found on the beach. We don’t know the details of that.
“But given the amount of time here, we have to assume that something has happened and, if this was a kidnapping, we may have already heard some sort of demand or some kind of information.
“It’s difficult to say, it’s such a remote area and until we get investigators on the ground and close and gather some more information, we really want to be hopeful for Jake, Callum and Jack that the best outcome can be achieved for them.”
It comes as Mexican authorities found a burnt-out white ute and three abandoned tents south of the Ensenada region.
The ute was found on a farm in Santo Tomas, the region where authorities have been searching, matches the description of one of the cars that belonged to one of the Robinson brothers.
Local media reported that blood was found in the tents.
Anthony Albanese said Australia’s embassy was working closely with Mexican authorities to establish what had happened to the brothers.
“This is a really concerning situation. We have been in touch through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade with the family. Our embassy in Mexico is working with local authorities as well to try to ascertain what has happened here,” the prime minister said on Sunrise.
“We hope that these brothers are found safely but there is real concern about the fact that they’ve gone missing. Their mother is obviously very distressed about this and we just hope for a positive outcome.”
MUM’S DESPERATE PLEA
There has been a global effort driven by social media to track down Callum and Jake Robinson after their April 27 disappearance.
Despite reassurances from ex-pat Aussies that her missing sons were probably suffering from dodgy phone service in Mexico, Perth mother Debra Robinson just knew there was something wrong.
The desperate mother took to social media pleading for information about her boys shortly after she lost contact with them during their surfing trip to northern Mexico.
While Callum lives in the US, Jake had gone over to visit him before the pair travelled together on the surf trip.
“Seems too soon to be worrying,” one commenter mentioned after seeing her increasingly concerned posts multiple days in a row.
“It’s Baja (the Mexican state), very remote and very little cell service in the boonies.”
But Mrs Robinson was resolute that all was not as it should be.
“Very out of character not to contact,” Mrs Robinson insisted.
Mrs Robinson has since released a further statement about the distressing situation.
“We sincerely appreciate everyone’s concern and thoughts at this time,’ the statement read.
“We continue to have hope that our two beautiful boys are found.
“It is a deeply distressing time for us and we ask the media to respect our privacy at this time.”
“Callum had work commitments that he has missed which is very out of character.”
BROTHERS NEVER ARRIVED AT ACCOMMODATION
The brothers, both aged in their 30s and from Perth, are believed to have gone missing in the Baja California region, near Ensenada.
The siblings failed to arrive at their holiday accommodation in the city of Rosarito four days ago.
It has also been revealed the Callum is a champion lacrosse player both at home and abroad.
Callum was a defenseman on the Australian National Lacrosse team, a player on Maryland’s Stevenson University college team and has taken to the field in both the Major League Lacrosse and Premier Lacrosse League.
The pair’s mother is believed to be set to fly to Mexico.
“Reaching out to anyone who has seen my two sons,” she wrote on social media.
“They have not contacted us since Saturday 27th April. They are travelling with another friend an American citizen.
“They were due to book into an Airbnb in Rosarito after their camping weekend but they did not show up.
“Callum is a type one diabetic so there is also a medical concern. Please contact me if you have seen them or know their whereabouts. Thank you.”
A friend of the brothers, Dan, told the ABC that social media updates from the pair stopped at the weekend.
“Callum lives over in America and Jake was visiting and (they) sort of posted fairly regularly about their trip up until the weekend,” he told ABC Radio Perth.
“They haven’t actually checked into where they were meant to be on Saturday, and no one’s been able to get in contact with them since.
“I think everyone’s just sort of hoping that we can spread the word for anyone that has any contacts in America or around that area that might be able to put the word out. “I believe that Jake and Callum’s parents are trying to get a flight over there now.”
CALLUM PLAYS FOR AUSTRALIA’S LACROSS TEAM
WA Premier Roger Cook described the situation as “really quite distressing”.
“This must be very worrying for the families involved,” he said.
“When we do send our young men and women overseas to enjoy that adventure holiday, they invite an element of risk.
“I understand one of the individuals has a medical condition that would need ongoing care.
“I share (the) concerns of all Western Australians in terms of their welfare.”
Callum is member of the Australian men’s national lacrosse team. He first started playing the sport at Wembley Lacrosse Club before playing for Stevenson University in the US.
Lacrosse Australia has also spread the word about the missing brothers.
“Lacrosse Australia joins with the rest of the Australian lacrosse family in (sic) expressing its concerns over the whereabouts of Australian lacrosse star Callum Robinson, Callum’s brother Jake and their friend Jack Carter Rhoad who have been missing since 27 April in the Rosarita/Ensenada region of Baja California Notre, Mexico,” the association wrote on social media.
“We urge the Australian lacrosse community and our global lacrosse family to continue sharing the post from Callum’s friends and family … in the hope that Callum, Jake and Jack are found safe and sound.
“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of Callum, Jake and Jack during this incredibly stressful time.”
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