HOUSTON — A man is behind bars after police said he used his healer title to rob another man out of thousands of dollars.
Oscar Alberto Delgado Rivera, 43, is a shaman -- a South American medicine man -- who threatened to hurt his victim and his family before robbing him. At one point, he even took the victim to a cemetery where the victim's father is buried.
What happened
According to court documents, Rivera lured the victim, who is a contractor, to his business on Hillcroft back in May. Detectives said Rivera asked for a construction bid for his shaman office but when that contractor arrived, Rivera showed him a gun and made a series of threats.
“Claims you have shown him photographs of his family and children,” said a judge this week during his court hearing.
Court records said Rivera demanded cash and warned if he didn't get it, he'd go after the man's family. But the threats didn't end there. In court documents, authorities said Rivera and his victim drove to Brookside cemetery off of 59. That's where the victim's father is buried.
Afterward, Rivera reportedly told the contractor to return the next day and when he returned, they drove to two different Bank of Americas in southwest Houston.
“Made him withdraw $70,000 in cash from banks,” a judge said.
From there, police said they drove to a Fiesta on Bellaire Boulevard where Rivera purchased a pot and drove to Burnett Bayland Park on Chimney Rock. Court documents said Rivera pretended to burn the money in the pot. When he was questioned by police, he claimed he was performing a ritual.
Court documents also indicated that Rivera asked the victim not to call the police or any “medicine man.”
Detectives said the victim eventually came forward, despite the warnings, and Rivera was arrested.
Police believe there may be more victims who are in fear of coming forward. If you are a victim, you are asked to contact the Houston Police Robbery Division at 713-308-0700.