Thieves target Heritage Bank ATM in Burrell Boom Village, steal funds

Last night, thieves targeted the Heritage Bank Automated Teller Machine (ATM) in Burrell Boom Village, Belize District, and made off with the funds inside. The crooks pried open the door of the ATM’s structure and removed the machine that was bolted down to the floor.  The amount of money stolen is yet to be determined and the bank’s management is currently in communication with Police investigators. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero, says the thieves also disconnected the camera footage from the ATM room before making good their escape. 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “Police visited Helen Wu Store situated in Burrell Boom Village. There the police found out that a burglary occurred at the establishment and stolen was one ATM machine belonging to Heritage Bank. We are reviewing video footage and the investigation into this matter continues.”

Reporter: Any idea how these thieves were able to remove the machine ? 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “They gained entry by forcing open the front door. Thereafter they made their way into the area where the ATM machine is located and they prised it out.”

Reporter: Do you know how much money was in the ATM ?

ACP Hilberto Romero, Officer Commanding Eastern Division: “We do not know at this time. We are working to get the amount at this time. We are reviewing video footage that we located in the area.”

The Law360 online publication has reported that two companies registered in Belize as being promoters of a tax avoidance scheme.  The article noted that the identification was done through HM Revenue & Customs.  The two companies have been identified as Minerva Services Ltd. and Buckingham Wealth Ltd. That reportedly operated a trust that took contributions from clients who identified the payments as deductible expenses, and then return the money to the clients without any taxes taken out.  HM Revenue and Customs noted that both companies share an address in Belmopan, and have also been noted as practicing, “complex, offshore, financial arrangements so that income tax and national insurance contributions were not correctly paid.”