Gas Station Worker Injured in Attempted Armed Robbery in Hattieville

Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery at the Perez Butane Service Station in Hattieville, Belize District, which left a young employee injured on Saturday afternoon.  According to police, around one o’clock, officers received information of a robbery in progress at the service station located at mile 16.  There, they met 25-year-old Eddria Harris, who reported that three male individuals, dressed in dark clothing with their faces and heads covered, attempted to rob the gas attendant while armed with what appeared to be a 9mm pistol and a shotgun.  Initial investigations revealed that 21-year-old Conrad Castellanos, a salesman and driver for Perez Butane Service Station, had just arrived at his place of work when the three masked men entered his booth demanding money from the day’s sales. When no cash was found, the attackers reportedly assaulted Castellanos, striking him to the head with the butt of a firearm and stabbing him in the right leg.  A struggle reportedly ensued between Castellanos and the three assailants, after which the suspects fled the scene through nearby bushes.  Castellanos was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for medical treatment.  Police were able to view surveillance camera footage from the location, from which certain information was obtained to assist the investigation.