Police officers arrested in alleged rape

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PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Two police officers in Playa del Carmen, a Mexican resort city, were charged in an alleged rape of an Italian citizen, prosecutors said.

Maria Antonia Salmeron, a spokeswoman with the state's attorney's office of Quintana Roo, the state where Playa del Carmen is located, said the alleged rape occurred Feb. 12, when the victim and a male companion were detained by police after the couple left a club, CNN reported Friday.

The victim, a resident of Playa del Carmen, reported the incident to police, Salmeron said.

Salmeron said the suspects were charged with rape and abuse of authority.

Notimex, the government news agency, reported the police officers also demanded 3,000 pesos (about $235) from their victims. The woman was attacked when the officers realized the couple didn't have any money.

Quintana Roo's state's attorney Gaspar Armando Garcia Torres confirmed the bribe attempt, CNN said.

"We were obviously very concerned after we learned about the alleged rape. That's why we immediately launched an investigation," Salmeron said.

The alleged rape in Playa del Carmen happened eight days after six Spanish tourists allegedly were raped in Acapulco, another Mexican resort community. The six victims were among 14 people victimized by hooded gunmen who broke into a bungalow Feb. 4.

Guerrero state officials said five suspects were arrested.