Mexican Nationals Charged with Vehicle Theft Face Remand to Belize Central Prison

The Mexican nationals charged with stealing two vehicles from Budget Auto Rental, broke down in tears today as the found out they would be further remanded to the Belize Central Prison. The duo, twenty-eight-year-old Alejandro Jair Gonzalez Vasquez, and 37-year-old Carlos Francisco Morales Jara, appeared in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court today where they received the bad news. The trial had been delayed several times as the prosecution was awaiting instruction on whether or not the matter would be handled summarily or on indictment. Today the prosecution announced that the matter will be handled on indictment at the High Court of Belize since the combined value of the stolen vehicles exceeded fifty thousand dollars. Their attorney Rene Montero argued that it was not for the prosecution to determine whether or not the matter should be handled on indictment. He said that Magistrate was empowered by section 51 of the summary jurisdiction (offense) act gives the magistrate jurisdiction to determine whether she will hear the matter or not. The Magistrate reserved making a decision on the matter until November 13. The men were charged with theft and abetment to theft of a white Kia Sorento and a white Chevy Equinox which were rented out back in July and never returned.