Mexico negotiating with vigilantes holding town

(AP) Mexico negotiating with vigilantes holding town
MEXICO CITY
Mexican authorities say they are close to striking a deal to provide more security for a southern town where angry villagers seized control after a taxi driver was kidnapped and killed.

Olinala Mayor Eusebio Gonzalez says the takeover began Saturday after about 100 people stormed a house where the four presumed kidnappers were hiding and killed the suspects by burning the building.

He says nearly 700 residents have since been taking turns policing entry into the town by barricading streets and installing checkpoints.

Gonzalez said Friday that the taxi driver’s killing was the latest in a series of violent attacks. He says Olinala residents are demanding more protection from criminal gangs.