Local News

A burglar was caught in the act on the Placencia Peninsula early this morning.  According to reports, police went to a hotel in the village around twelve fifteen this morning where, with the help of the home owner, they were able to apprehend the thief.  As it turns out, the alleged burglar is a sixteen year old boy from Mafredi village in the Toledo district.  Inspector Mark Flowers is the officer in charge of the Placencia police.

INSPECTOR MARK FLOWERS

Officer in Charge

Placencia Peninsula

“And on arrival they saw that a white paint bucket was in front of one of the hotel doors, they observed that the window above the door was removed and they quickly realized that somebody inside in the building.  Police and the home owner teamed up and the person was apprehended.  The business person had secured the area, he is a licensed gun holder and he was brave and very bold to secure his premises.  Police had apprehended the person and he has been identified as a sixteen year old of Mafredi Village in the Toledo District.  When he was searched inside the building, Police found that he had on him a toy gun – a black and brown toy gun which made the crime even more serious – as opposed to a burglary we are dealing with an aggravated burglary.  A quick search on him led to the only item which he was able to steal before he was caught which is a flash drive.  The owner quickly identified the flash drive as being his and therefore the crime was committed – aggravated burglary.  He is in custody and will be charged in a short while.”

PATRICK JONES

Senior News Reporter

Love FM

“Do you suspect that this little boy was acting alone?”

INSPECTOR MARK FLOWERS

Officer in Charge

Placencia Peninsula

“Yes, he was alone.  He certainly was alone.”

Inspector Flowers says that with the low season in the tourism industry now underway , more people will be in search of employment and often finds themselves in desperate situations.

INSPECTOR MARK FLOWERS

Officer in Charge

Placencia Peninsula

“And therefore more people come to Placencia in search of employment and when they get here there is nothing going on and then they’re desperate or stranded and start looking for an easy way out.  There is no way we could stop people from coming in and out of the peninsula.  We could only do what we do and check who is coming in but who would suspect that a sixteen year old boy coming onto the peninsula, you know, who’s clean, tidy and everything – the most honest human; people;  they are here, they are Belizeans, we can’t impede their movements.  We have to do more patrols and hope that we can minimize incidents of dishonesty and burglaries on the peninsula which we are certainly attempting to do in every aspect.”

PATRICK JONES

Senior News Reporter

Love FM

“Now I understand that Placencia has a very vibrant crime committee that works hand in hand with the Police.”

INSPECTOR MARK FLOWERS

Officer in Charge

Placencia Peninsula

“Well we have an entire community – I believe 100% - the community wanting a better Police Department and wanting just what they pay their taxes for – security.  Everybody here seems to want to cooperate with the Police Department which is a welcomed idea.  I haven’t yet organized the crime committee – we are about to organize a people’s coalition and I think we are supposed to have this done by Wednesday.”

Inspector Flowers believes that the continued cooperation of the community with the police will greatly assist the entire Placencia Peninsula in keeping down crime in the village. As a part of the community outreach a meeting will take place tomorrow afternoon at the Seine Bight Community Centre. During tomorrow’s meeting, Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer will be the guest speaker to inform and educate the people about their rights as well as the powers and authority of the police and special constables.

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