Gunmen abduct as many as 16 people from resort restaurant in Puerto Vallarta

MEXICO CITY -- Armed men abducted multiple people from an upscale restaurant in the popular Mexican beach resort city of Puerto Vallarta, authorities said Monday.

Prosecutors in the western state of Jalisco said two SUVs carrying an unknown number of gunmen arrived around 1 a.m. at the La Leche restaurant on the city's main boulevard, which runs through the hotel zone between the old beach city and the airport.

The office said in a statement that it was still investigating. Five vehicles were abandoned at the restaurant, but it was unclear whether they belonged to any of the victims or attackers.

Mexican media reports said as many as 16 people were abducted, but authorities did not immediately confirm the number.



Jalisco Gov. Aristoteles Sandoval said through his official Twitter account that such violence would not be tolerated and a search was underway for the victims and the kidnappers.

"To the residents and tourists of Puerto Vallarta, I inform you that we have reinforced security so that you can go on as usual," Sandoval wrote.