Arrests Made in Acapulco Tourist Rape Case

A yellow police line reading "Crime Scene" cordons off a crime scene at a beach hotel, where six female Spanish tourists were raped by armed men, in Acapulco Feb. 6, 2013.

Authorities in Mexico say they have arrested six men who have confessed to raping six Spanish women visiting the popular tourist resort of Acapulco.

A group of hooded gunmen broke into the rented beach house the women were sharing with their boyfriends, earlier this month, and roughed up the men, before assaulting the women.

Attorney General Jesus Murillo Karam says investigators have learned a seventh man was involved the rapes. That person remains at large.

News of the arrests sparked protests among residents who accused police of arresting innocent men for the crime. Guerrero state Governor Angel Aguirre dismisses the allegations.

The rapes drew further attention to the drug-related violent crimes that have plagued Mexico in recent years. The once-lavish resort, Acapulco, has become the murder capital of Mexico, with last year's toll of more than 1,000 murders in a city of 800,000 people.