Police Probe Robbery, Online Fraud, Burglaries and Gunfire Across Belize

Police are investigating a series of crimes reported across the country, including an armed robbery, suspected online fraud, burglaries and a shooting incident.  In Belize City, a fifty-seven-year-old broker reported being robbed of more than thirty thousand dollars in cash and valuables. The victim told police that he was parked near the intersection of Vernon Street Extension and Jasmine Street on Wednesday afternoon when two men arrived on a motorcycle. The passenger allegedly pointed a firearm at him before searching his vehicle and stealing twenty-five thousand dollars in cash, jewelry, two passports and a driver’s licence. The men then escaped. 

Police are also investigating a suspected case of obtaining money by deception. A Belize City businesswoman reported transferring sixteen thousand two hundred and fifty dollars after responding to a Facebook advertisement for two forty-foot metal containers. The containers were never delivered, and the money has not been refunded. Investigators are seeking financial information and conducting checks at the Port of Belize.

Meanwhile, police recovered six expended nine-millimeter shells after responding to reports of gunfire on Pitter Street on Tuesday night. No injuries were reported. Investigators say surveillance footage was unavailable because the incident occurred during the nationwide power outage.

In Orange Walk Town, burglars targeted Our Lady of Guadalupe Roman Catholic School shortly before the start of the new academic year. Four fans valued at three hundred and sixty dollars were stolen, while damage to windows, doors and a burglar bar is estimated at two thousand nine hundred dollars.

At the Fort Street Tourism Village, police are looking into the disappearance of a surveillance-system hard drive from a business. The company discovered that the drive was missing while technicians were inspecting the camera system following repeated power outages. A former employee was identified in the report as a person of interest, but no arrest or charge has been made.

In Sandhill Village, a twenty-nine-year-old man was detained after allegedly assaulting an on-duty police officer at a supermarket. The officer reported that the man became aggressive when questioned about a bag containing suspected cannabis. He allegedly pushed her and twisted her wrist before escaping on a bicycle. Responding officers later intercepted him in the New Site area.