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Police Say Branch Manager Helped Set Up Bank Heist
posted (April 11, 2011)
Today police charged five people for last week's robbery at Heritage Bank in Orange Walk - and they include the Branch Manager, a BDF soldier, and his brother, who happens to be the man accused of shooting Rodwell Williams.

If police are right, it is a stunning conspiracy. Police say that the branch manager, former beauty queen and newspaper reporter, 28 year old Samantha Carlos set it up along with 27 year old Ricky Valencio. If his name sounds familiar that's because Valencio is the man accused of carrying out an execution attempt on Rodwell Williams in May of last year. Orange Walk unit Police set up a special team to examine the crime and the first thing they noticed is that the man who asked for the loans officer - was shabbily dressed - certainly not like anyone who'd go looking for a loan at a commercial bank.

After that one thing led to another and police concluded that the Branch manager was in on it. She's the one who - after being punched - allegedly led Valencio to the safe where he collected $202,000.00 and escaped with it. Police believe the punch was included as a part of the cover up.

So today, Carlos, Valencio and three others were taken to Orange Walk Magistrate's court. The others are Valencio's brother, Harold, who is a BDF soldier, Noel Usher and Marva Welch.

Samantha Carlos, the Valencio brothers and Usher were charged for conspiracy to commit robbery and Valencio was also charged for robbery. Marva Welch who was allegedly found with $1,200.00 dollars, supposedly proceeds of the crime, was charged for handling stolen goods.

Attorney Dickie Bradley argued mightily for Bail before Magistrate Linden Flowers, but it was denied and they were all remanded until may 19th.

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