Police Officer Among Four Arrested in String of Armed Robberies Across Belmopan

An investigation into a series of robberies in western Belize culminated in multiple arrests over the weekend, including a cop and her husband. The string of armed robberies began on June 5, when Country Meat Products in Belmopan was robbed allegedly by 25-year-old Robert Andrew Tillett and 18-year-old Elijah Jonathan Cruz. According to police, the bandits then continued their spree orchestrating multiple robberies over several months with the help of 47-year-old Jonathan David Cruz and police officer 41-year-old Eva Giselle Dawson. Police say the group is the mastermind behind several hold-ups that targeted several businesses in Belmopan, including a gas station, Quality Poultry Products, Best Care Pharmacy, Belize Western Energy Limited, and Country Meat Products Limited. Today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero provided additional details and explained that police found several pieces of evidence at Dawson’s home during a raid last week. 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “Based on several robbery reports that were made over a period from June 2024 to present police have since arrested and charged Jonathan Cruz 47 years for the crime of robbery and Jonathan Cruz along with Eva Dawson a police officer have jointly been charged for seven counts of conspiracy to commit robbery.”

Reporter: Sir we understand that the last of those robberies, the one that took place on Wednesday that at least one of the robbers had a police uniform, is that a concern for you all and are you looking into that element of the crime ?

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “Yes that is a concern. Several searches were conducted, items were recovered and that is what led to the charges being levied at this time.”

Reporter: At their residence? 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “At the residence of Jonathan Cruz and Eva Dawson.”

Reporter: So all of these robberies were connected to each other ? 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “That is correct.”

Reporter: Sir can we get your commentary on the fact that it was someone within the ranks of the department that’s conspiring to commit these serious crimes ? 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division: “Yes an investigation was carried out. This police officer has since been charged and taken to court.”

The alleged assailants are expected to be arraigned in court this week.