Bethsa Noami Ramirez Granted Bail in $516K Theft Case with Strict Court Conditions

After spending the week on remand at the Belize Central Prison on a charge of theft, 34-year-old Bethsa Noami Ramirez has been granted bail by the Belize High Court. Ramirez, who is accused of stealing over a half million dollars from her former employer, was granted bail in the sum of $15,000 plus three sureties of $5,000 each. Justice Francis Cumberbatch set the conditions that Ramirez must sign in twice a week at a designated police station and attend all hearings in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court. She also cannot leave the country without a judge’s permission. Ramirez was arraigned in the San Pedro Magistrate’s Court on Monday, February 17, 2025, on a single charge of theft, accused of dishonestly appropriating $516,962 in cash from El Diamante Ltd. No plea was taken due to the large sum involved, as the matter will be handled on indictment at the High Court. The magistrate had initially denied her bail, citing her as a flight risk, deferring bail consideration to the High Court. The allegations against Ramirez stem from a report made to the San Pedro Police Station on January 21, 2025, by Lisa Guerrero, owner of El Diamante Ltd., a development company. Guerrero reported that she hired Ramirez in 2019 for bookkeeping and personal assistance. In February of 2023, a consultant hired to prepare financial reports discovered discrepancies, including checks cashed in Ramirez’s name. Guerrero confronted Ramirez, who allegedly admitted to stealing. A subsequent review of records from 2019 to 2023 revealed further discrepancies, including personal utility payments from company accounts, payroll irregularities, and fraudulent checks, totaling $516,962.55. This led to Ramirez’s arrest on Friday, February 14, 2025.