Last week when police recovered a Toyota Hilux that had been stolen minutes earlier from the Institute of Archaeology, it gave them their first real opening in the case of the stolen Hilux pickups - four of them since July. And tonight, the news is that police have made their first arrest - and it's huge. Huge because the man who stands accused is an employee of the Toyota dealer, Belize Diesel and Equipment Company. His name is Hector Monterosa, a 22 year old maintenance man from St. Matthews's village. His job at Belize Diesel was to wash vehicles after servicing and in some cases deliver them back to the clients. Information so far suggests that he would use that time to make the unauthorized duplicate keys, which would later be used to steal the vehicles.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves; so far he's only been linked to one stolen Hilux - and that's the one from the Institute of Archaeology. Today the Officer Commanding Belmopan - who's been working overtime to crack this case told us about the arrest - and the important missing link which they need your help to find:..
Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"It has to do with when people would take their vehicles to the technician and the vehicle is left there for maintenance, the key would be taken to somewhere they are copied and then brought back like usually. We don't believe he is the mastermind, to us he facilitated the process by copying the keys and giving them to someone else. But the real mastermind, if you want to use that word, he was the person who was driving the vehicle on that day and we know who we are looking for. Just that the person is not at his usual place of residence, but we continue to look for him."
Jules Vasquez
"When we spoke last week it wasn't clear at that point that he was the mastermind. I think you believe he was a functionary. However now, we know this person was the mastermind. Is it particularly regrettable to know that he manage to elude authorities last week?"
Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"Yes, it's lamentable, but what I can tell you that we are doing all within our power to have this guy brought to justice and I know that we will be able to get him back."
Jules Vasquez
"He now stands accused of engaging in nefarious activities while employed by Belize Diesel. There will be people out there who have also taken their vehicle for servicing who would be concern that perhaps a spare key, an unauthorized duplicate of the key for their vehicle might also be floating out there. Should I be concerned and should I be extra vigilant or cautious?"
Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"Yes you should. It's not only with Belize Diesel and Equipment, any other company that services vehicles."
Jules Vasquez
"Four other vehicles have been stolen this summer alone in Belmopan, Is there now any hope of recovering those vehicles with this arrest?"
Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"I wouldn't say with this arrest, but I would limit it to say that with this latest part of the investigation, yes I believe we will be able to, if not retrieve the vehicles, at least know what mainly transpired if our theories were right all along."
Police would not say where they believe 21 year old Edin Salinas is hiding but they are investigating the possibility that he has absconded across the border to Guatemala. He has roots in Honduras. Police have contacted Interpol to assist them in territories outside Belize.
Police say Monterosa had been working at Belize Diesel for over a year. He was charged for abetment to commit theft and received bail of ten thousand dollars plus two sureties which he did not meet.
Owner of Belize Diesel Pi Marin today declined an interview saying that he awaits the conclusion of a full investigation by police. He adds that he believes the wanted man Edin Salinas, was securing duplicate keys from other sources as well. And he did tell us that the dealership has changed its protocols to tighten controls on keys, including asking the businesses that do key duplication in Belmopan to only do so when they have a request in writing from the owner.
Email
Print