7 News Belize

Police Caught And Shot Escapee Willoughby
posted (January 28, 2015)

After almost 7 weeks on the run, terrorizing residents in the Cayo District, 25 year-old Emmanuel Willoughby, the prison inmate who escaped on December 13 is at under police guard at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital tonight.

That's after police shot him in the right arm and leg when they detained him last night, just after 7:30 on Arlington Drive. It was the end result of a heated pursuit through an urban swamp.

Today, police briefed the media saying that he resisted arrest and he held an object in his hand, which resembled a weapon:

Supt. Hilberto Romero - OC, CIB Belize City

"Emmanuel Willoghby, who escaped from the Kolbe foundation. Police launched an investigation in the Arlington drive area, where we was found as a result he was apprehended and we shot to the leg and to the arm."

Daniel Ortiz

"They were reports that he committed a crime in Cayo."

Supt. Hilberto Romero

"He's wanted in Cayo for a robbery and aggravated burglary, so as soon as he recovers, he will be taken to Cayo where the investigation there will decide whether he will be charged."

Reporter

"Information was that he was hiding out there."

Supt. Hilberto Romero

"He was hiding in Cayo and we had received information that we came to Belize City yesterday."

Reporter

"The injuries he sustained, I assumed were while you were trying to bring him in."

Supt. Hilberto Romero

"Yes, he had resisted and had refused to surrender. As a result they say a black object and he was shot."

Reporter

"Was he hiding out at someone's home in that area?"

Supt. Hilberto Romero

"Information was that he was hiding at an abandoned house in that area. The police did an operation in the area."

When he has recovered from his injury, he will be charged with for escaping from lawful custody, and he may also be charged for an armed robbery which occurred in San Ignacio Town last week Thursday morning.

Reports are the owner of New Yan Chinese Store in Bella Vista Street was opening for the day, an assailant, believed to be Willoughby, held up the grocer at gunpoint and demanded money. She complied, and her husband, who was upstairs, heard the commotion. He pulled his licensed 9mm pistol, came down the stairs and fired several shots at the robber. He ran off, but police were close-by and they heard the gunshots. They set chase after the man who ran out the back of the store. Later that evening, Willoughby was reportedly seen across the river.

Emmanuel Willoughby is serving a 5 year sentence for firearm offences, and is believed that he cut a hole in the cell door to escape.

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