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Last night we told you about the armed robbery of Brad’s Store on West Collet Canal, directly across form one of the police surveillance cameras at the Pound Yard Bridge. That must have done the trick, because police responded rapidly – and caught the suspects and also recovered some of the money and phone cards that had been stolen. Today police showed us who they arrested and discussed the possibility that this robbery is connected to others that have occurred in the area.

Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Although one of the accused seen here in this white t – shirt professed his innocence, Belize City Police have charged Shamir Medina, Robert Tracy and Stephanie Copius for the robbery and hold-up at Brads Store on Tuesday evening. And while police investigations concluded are that the two young men, one who was armed with a thirty eight revolver, went inside the store - according to the Officer in Charge of Crimes Investigation in Belize City Assistant Superintendent Julio Valdez - they handed the stolen items over to this woman.

Jacqueline Godwin,
Mr. Valdez how were the police able to quickly respond and apprehend the suspects?

ASP Julio Valdez, CIB
“Information was relayed to the control room and as soon as the control room received the information mobiles who were near were called to respond and because of the quick response and that they were in the area nearby, they were able to apprehend some of these people we believe are involved in this robbery at Brads.”

Police could not confirm if their surveillance camera perched just across from the store assisted in the arrest.

ASP Julio Valdez,
“At this time from the evidence so far that we’ve gathered we’re charging three of them, three of them who have been identified.”

The store was robbed of phone cards and over six hundred dollars in cash. The police have since recovered some of the stolen items.

ASP Julio Valdez,
“That is what links them most to the case at hand.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Are they saying anything in their defense?

ASP Julio Valdez,
“No they are not saying anything Jackie. They are not saying anything as a matter of fact.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Are the police investigating to see if any of these individuals may have been involved in other incidents of crime?

ASP Julio Valdez,
“At this time Jackie we are looking at those possibilities. It is possible that the suspect could have been involved in other robberies that occurred so it is possible. We are looking at that also.”

The police are also investigating to see if the trio may have also been involved in the hold-up and robbery at the Miami Store on Sunday.

ASP Julio Valdez,
“We are also looking at that also, whether these suspects are involved in the Miami Store robbery and others that occurred in that area so we are looking at the possibility and if it is so we will follow it up.”

Jacqueline Godwin,
Sources tell 7News that at least one of the suspects will be charged in connection with the robbery at Brads Store was positively identified as one of the individuals who was involved in a holdup in 2008 at the Miami Store. Can the police confirm this?

ASP Julio Valdez,
“Because I was not here at the time, I am unable to confirm that Jackie but it could be possible. It is possible and we are looking at that also that he too could have been involved and if he has been identified we will deal with him also.”

The police say since the start of the New Year there have been twenty to twenty five brazen hold-ups and robberies in Belize City.

Jacqueline Godwin,
The perpetrators don’t care if they are seen or not?

ASP Julio Valdez,
“Apparently that seems to be occurring now Jackie that the suspects or the culprits as we call them don’t care any and so they are targeting these places and they know they are looking at them. But we are concerned it is a new trend, new kids on the block coming out and we are looking at them also.”

Seventeen year old Shamir Medina and twenty two year old Robert Tracy have both been charged with aggravated assault and robbery. Stephanie copious has been charged with handling of stolen goods. Reporting for 7News Jacqueline Godwin.

And while the trio have been charged, up to this evening, they were not arraigned in court.