7 News Belize

Health Department's Hilux Recovered
posted (May 22, 2012)
It's not often on this newscast that you hear the words, "excellent police work" - but that's just what our next story is about. Tonight, the 2009 Totoya Hilux, which was stolen from the Central Health Region 2 weeks ago, has been recovered and it's back where it should be.

3 men, including one police officer, have been charged and arraigned in connection with its theft, and they are in prison tonight.

On Saturday, acting on intelligence, Ladyville police set up a sting operation to recover the Gold 2009 Hilux Pickup.

You'll probably remember that it happened on May eighth when a car thief breezed through the unsecured compound and left with the Hilux in less than five minutes.

Well, Police have charged 23 year-old Police Constable Marvin Wade, a resident of Biscayne Village, his brother 32 year-old Jason Wade, who also resides in Biscayne Village, and 24 year-old Kerwin Godoy, a KHMH employee from Belize City.

We'll get to their story in a few, but we start with an interview with the Manager of the Central Health Region, who was very happy that the vehicle has been recovered.

Here's what she told about the damage the vehicle suffered while the thief had it:..

Melinda Guerra, Regional Health Manager
"On 20th May, 2012 at around 12 midnight we received information from inspector Rivero, who is the officer in charge of Ladyville Police Station. He reported to us that the vehicle has been found around the Biscayne area. He told us that they needed the key so that they could transport the vehicle from that area to Queen's Street Police Station."

"Immediately I and my secretary Ms. Ramdas proceeded to the area. Upon arrival at the Ladyville Police Station we were told that the vehicle had already been towed into the city. At presently the vehicle cannot be used because it received some damages and we don't have a license plate and so we need to write to the vehicles care unit for another license plate, we are in the process of doing that."

"The vehicle also received damages to the windshield, bumper and back lights. We are presently making an assessment for the damages done mechanically and for the body of the vehicle."

Daniel Ortiz
"Otherwise its functions are okay?"

Melinda Guerra, Regional Health Manager
"Yes, the vehicle can run, but we are presently doing an assessment."

In court this morning, the PC Marvin Wade, Jason Wade, and Kerwin Godoy were all arraigned on the charges of handling stolen goods and taking of a motor vehicle without permission.

The prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of the prevalence of the crime, the nature of the crime due to its public interest, the fact that the investigation is still ongoing, and because police believe that the defendants will be able to interfere with the investigation.

It was at that point that their attorney, Bryan Neal, made several submissions to counter the prosecutions reasons for bail denial.

Neal said that his clients are entitled to bail because 2 of his clients have no criminal record, and that they are law abiding men.

Neal also said that, since their arrests the police have refused to give him any information about their investigation, and it is his clients' right to know what they are being charged with. Neal said that his clients are wrongfully accused of these offenses because the police did not find them in the vehicle.

According to Neal, Marvin Wade and Kerwin Godoy were all on their way to the Popcaan Concert, and they stopped for drinks while they waited for Jason Wade.

After listening to the submissions from both sides, Senior Magistrate Sharon Frazer decided to remand all 3 men to prison for one week. In that time, she also ordered that the prosecution must hand over some form of disclosure.

So, in exactly 7 days, all 3 men will return to court to find out if they will get bail.

According to our reports, Police set up a sting where an interested buyer was taken to see the vehicle in the Biscayne area. The asking price was reportedly 27 thousand US dollars - which is above market value for the bare bones 2009 pickup

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize