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They Robbed Robateau, the Noted Charity Worker
Fri, February 23, 2018
Tonight, one of Belize's most well-known charity workers is in the KHMH recovering from a massive beatdown that a gang of home invaders put on him. At 4:20 this morning, former Salvation Army Commander, Errol Robateau was attacked in his Hattieville home. The 73 year old has taken up a bus run in his retirement - and he was getting ready to leave out on his first run when as many as 7 men pounced on him. His conductor, Marilee Cardinez was waiting for him in the bus - and she saw it all - while also getting clubbed in the head. She gave Daniel Ortiz her story off-camera:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
This is the Hattieville home of Major Errol Robateau. Sure, it looks quiet and peaceful right now, but it was the scene of a home invasion early this morning. The 73 year-old gentleman and his employee were held at gunpoint by 5 armed robbers who put a beatdown on him to convince him to give up his money and his valuables.

Robateau, a member of the Salvation Army who also runs a bus service in Hattieville, was getting ready to do a 5 a.m. run for his commuting customers. That plan was interrupted by violent thieves who were after a quick "come-up" at the expense of a hard-working elderly man.

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez, robbery victim
"This morning, I reached work at about 10 to 5. I was getting out my phone to call him because he is usually in the bus, sitting down, and starting it when I reach there. The bus wasn't started. So, I took out my phone and called him, and 2 gunmen came from behind the bus. They took away my phone and told me to shut up. When I screamed, they hit me hard in the head with the gun. They took me inside."

Reporter
"Inside the bus, or inside the house?"

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez
"Inside the house. When I got there I saw that my boss was already tied up on the ground. About 3 or 4 men were over him, beating him. They asked where the money was, and I told them that I didn't have any money, and that he [my boss] had all the money. They beat him and asked him for the money. They took away his key, went into the house and ransacked it."

Reporter
"Did they steal something from you?"

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez
"Yes, my money, and Mr. Robateau's money, my phone Mr. Robateau's 2 phones, his laptop, and a small keyboard from Mr. Robateau."

As you might expect, the victims were terrified that they might not make it out alive.

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez
"I was only just praying to God and ask him for help, to send help, and bring us through this, to make nothing happened to us. I think that all of them had weapons. One moment, we heard them crank it, and they said that they were going to kill the boss if he didn't give up the rest of money that he had. All of them had on masks."

Major Robateau still serves with the Salvation Army, and about 10 years ago, he was the Regional Commander of this humanitarian and goodwill organization. Those in the village tell us that kindness for him is second nature. So, they are shocked that a man who has been paying it forward for decades, would still be the target of this type of violent assault.

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez
"He's the best boss you can have. He's like a father because I lost my dad 6 months ago."

Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"Did you ever suspect that anything like this could ever happen to you or him?"

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez
"No, but I always heard stories that they tried to rob people. I never knew it was gonna happen to him and me. He doesn't mess with anybody, and he's a friendly man."

Major Robateau's employee says that his biggest concern wasn't the material possessions that were stolen from him.

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez
"When I left, they hadn't done the CT scan yet. He says that he was waiting, but he was laughing and joking, and he said that he thanked God nothing worse ever happened, and none of us got killed."

Daniel Ortiz
"So, even though he went through all of that, he's still positive."

Voice of: Marilee Cardinez
"Yes, he said Thank God that he allowed us to still be here, and that he's not worried about the material things, he was only worrying about our lives."

The thieves stole a couple cell phones and a laptop computer.

Robateau is at the KHMH where he is conscious and speaking.

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