7 News Belize

Man Recovers SUV He Was Scammed Out Of
posted (August 4, 2011)
And if he's "equity's darling", then Andre Alvarado must be fortune's best friend. He appeared on this newscast last night telling us the sad story of how he'd been conned out of an SUV he was selling.

A smooth-talking scam artist conned his younger brother into giving him the keys for a test drive and never returned. But after we publicized his plight last night, the telephone switchboard at Crimestoppers lit up with a number of tips, and so when Jim McFadzean met with Alvarado at the Queen Street police station this morning, he was eager to share the good news.

Jim McFadzean
"How did you get the good news that the police had located your vehicle?"

Andre Alvarado
"I was in my barber shop sitting down about after 9 this morning and I get a call stating that my vehicle was at the police station. So I just rushed down to the police station to see if it was true."

Jim McFadzean
"What did the police told you about how they were able to get the vehicle back?"

Andre Alvarado
"They told me that it was through Crime Stoppers that they were able to find the vehicle."

Jim McFadzean
"After our story ran last night I know you had gotten several calls and some tips."

Andre Alvarado
"Last night as the news aired and the piece that was shown about the missing vehicle I get a call from police in Benque and from different people stating that yes indeed they see a vehicle up that side. This morning I get a call from one of my friends telling me that yes indeed they see the vehicle going up north side with the same license plate and the American Flag on it."

Jim McFadzean
"Have you had a chance to look at the vehicle to determine if anything has been stolen from the vehicle?"

Andre Alvarado
"The police officer took me to check the vehicle to see if anything was missing. I went in the vehicle and checked and I didn't see anything missing. I didn't have any personal items in the vehicle. My brother had left his bag with his wallet with money and his driver's license and his passport - those are missing."

Jim McFadzean
"How happy are you that Crime Stoppers has played a role in getting your vehicle back?"

Andre Alvarado
"Well it's a big relief because from Monday - it will play with your mind - your mind will space out because you are trying to figure out where you vehicle is, so to me it's a big relief and I thank Crime Stoppers and the media to get involved."

Indeed, since it was introduced to Belize, Crimestoppers has been of invaluable assistance to the Police in solving crime. But sharing valuable information about crimes is often seen as "snitching" and that's why Police Press Officer, Fitzroy Yearwood says the department wishes more people would make use of the 0-800-922-TIPS:

Jim McFadzean
"How was the police able to recover the vehicle?"

Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
"Jim time and time I know during our interviews you hear me stressing on the importance of using the 0-800-922-TIPS and this one is a classic example of how important the 922-TIPS hotline really work. A caller call our 0-800 number and base on that - information was relayed to CIB Belize City and this morning just before 9 'o' clock CIB proceeded based on the information received. From that tip CIB personnel visited the corner of Hopkins and 4th Street where they found a white 2005 Chevy Equinox that was reported stolen by Mr. Alvarado and this vehicle is now impounded - will be handed over to Mr. Alvarado sometime today but we are looking for one Roberto Castellanos."

Jim McFadzean
"You have established the identity of the person who actually conned the vehicle from Mr. Alvarado?"

Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
"Definitely, all this happened because of a tip through 0-800-922-TIPS and now we know who we are looking for and we hope that by putting this out we hope to get a picture of him to let the public know that this man is wanted. He is a scam artist as far as we see it and we do have charges for him in the event he is captured and brought into police custody."

Yearwood says Police have yet to determine if the alleged scam artist has a criminal record. Police say they are looking for ROBERTO MARTIN CASTELLANOS in connection with this report.

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