This afternoon, a trio of would-be bank robbers were foiled as they tried to rob the Ladyville branch of the Atlantic Branch.
And while the security guards foiled the robbery - they paid for it dearly both were shot, one of them to the head.
He's in serious but stable condition at Belize Medical Associates tonight and police are on the trail of the bank robbers.
Here's more from the scene:..
Jules Vasquez Reporting
The bank's glass door was smashed and inside the floor was covered with blood spatters, the result of a struggle that one of the security guards had with three bank robbers:
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer
"Around 1:55 pm a young man entered the bank pretending to do a transaction. Whilst in the bank - he was the sole customer - a female customer approach the door, when the security turn to open the door for that customer - at this time the man that entered previously grab the security and put a gun on him and relieve him of his 9mm. a struggle ensued between both of them. Two other men rush into the bank at this time - believe to be with the first man that entered the bank where they covered the other security and during this struggle the security Mr. Dalton Watler was shot to the back of his head and the other security guard receive a gunshot to his right leg."
"Both men have been transported to the Medical Associates where they are listed in stable condition."
Reporter
"Any money was stolen?"
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer
"No money was stolen. But a firearm was relieved, so it's still a robbery. Actually the relieving of that firearm was to disarm the security guard and who knows what they would have done after that. But because all this hassle began and the shots were fired - If you see behind me the shattered glasses because the security never let-up. He fought with them and eventually they ran out the building without relieving any of the cash from the tellers."
They escaped in a blue Dodge Neon and everything at the Highwayman gas station compound was caught on surveillance camera. Police say they are looking for known criminal operators from Belize City:
Jules Vasquez
"You've been involve in a number of cases such as these. From the outside speculatively conjecturally what would you say are the chances of these robbers being caught?"
Sgt. Fitzroy Yearwood - Police Press Officer
"Well Jules, I would say 90%. We will catch them."
According to Police, both security guard, including Dalton Watler who was shot to the back of the head remain in stable condition.
Latest info is that police found the getaway car about an hour ago in Vista Del Mar. It was not a Dodge Neon, but a Toyota Corolla. Area residents are telling police that the car was abandoned there and the three men escaped in a boat that was waiting to pick them up.
That account - given by neighbors - is yet to be confirmed. At newstime though, no one has been detained.
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