Armed Men Posing as Police Attempt to Rob Medina’s House of Jewelry

Police are investigating an attempted burglary at Medina’s House of Jewelry , located at the Northern Plaza on the Philip Goldson Highway, after armed men posing as police officers accosted a security guard during the early morning hours.  According to police reports, information was received around 4:30 a.m. regarding the burglary. Officers from Northside Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) responded to the scene, where they met 57-year-old Hipolito Pedro Canto, a Belizean security guard of Fresh Pond, Burrell Boom.  Canto reported that at about 3:30 a.m., while he was inside the security booth at the rear of the plaza near the bathroom area, he heard someone announce “Police.” When he opened the booth door, he was confronted by three dark-skinned male persons, all dressed in black clothing and wearing masks. The men again identified themselves as police, at which point one of them produced a firearm and held him at gunpoint.  The security guard told investigators that he was tied at the hands and feet with plastic straps, while one of the suspects remained inside the booth guarding him. The other two men then moved away, and Canto reported hearing the sound of glass being broken.  After a few minutes, the armed suspect was called away, leaving Canto alone. He was then locked inside the security booth, from where he managed to contact police for assistance.  The owner of Medina’s Jewelry Shop was subsequently contacted.  According to the shop owner, nothing was stolen during the incident.  Police say entry to the jewelry shop was gained by damaging the padlock to the shutters and the glass door.

Hilberto Romero, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “This morning police responded to an aggravated burglary report at the Medina’s House of Jewelry. Upon their arrival the security guard reported that he was held up by several male persons. They tied him up, pointed a gun at him and broke into the building. Investigators are presently there reviewing video footage and trying to establish if anything was stolen.”

Reporter: Inside job ?
Hilberto Romero, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “We do not know at this time, that is all the information we have, he was tied up na they broke into the building.”