One month ago, a group of tourists were terrorized when pirates boarded their catamaran and robbed and assaulted them. One man, Bradwick Lino was already charged, and now police have charged another. He is 20 year old Jason Emmanuel Cortez whose fingerprints were allegedly found which link him to the high seas heist. Both he and Lino were today charged for aggravated burglary.
The allegation is that on January 13, 2016, the Catamaran was anchored near Middle Long Caye when he and Lino boarded the vessel armed with a gun and stole a whole bunch of stuff, including a $10,000 US dollar pearl necklace, 15 bank and credit cards, passports, assorted electronics and personal items, two thousand dollars in US currency, and even the ice chest with beers and the outboard engine.
Cortez pleaded not guilty before Senior Magistrate, Sharon Fraser.
He told the court that his friend Bradwick Lino had already pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods for the pair of binoculars and the hard drives found at Cortez's home. He said he was at work when he learned that his home was searched by police.
His explanations were noted, but bail was denied, because the offense is alleged to have occurred with a firearm. He was remanded to jail until March 18, 2016.
His alleged accomplice, Lino who pleaded guilty to one count of handling stolen goods before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza on Tuesday, January 19, was sentenced to three months imprisonment for the pair of binoculars found at Cortez's home.
|
