7 News Belize

Two Capital Cabbies Killed
posted (January 11, 2016)
Two taxi drivers were found dead in Belmopan over the weekend - and they may be related. Our first story is about 24-year-old Yoni Maas. He went missing on Thursday night and his family had been trying to locate him all weekend. That is until a farmer found Maas' body in a feeder road in Mount Pleasant yesterday. It was shocking discovery because his family couldn't have imagined finding his body thrown in bushes. Courtney Weatherburne found out more today:

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
For these taxi drivers, this is the best part of their day: when they don't have any runs, they blast music and hang out at this spot, near the terminal. But the one usually in charge of playing their favorite Reggae-ton selections isn't here anymore and it's just not the same without him.

The life of the party was 24 year old Yoni Maas. He went missing on Thursday night while on the night shift at the terminal. He told his family he was coming home after the last bus but he never showed up.

Ingris Maas, Older Sister
"He went missing from Thursday."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Around what time?"

Ingris Maas, Older Sister
"More or less they see him at 8:30 in the night. He talked to one of the taxi man who was right there and he told him that at 8:30 he will wait for the last bus then he will go home. After that they haven't seen him again."

But yesterday instead of getting a call or text from him saying that he is okay - Ingris got the dreadful news of her little brother's murder.

Ingris Maas, Older Sister
"I was at the church service when we heard the news from my brother that he has disappeared that they found him dead, which we feel sorry for him but we don't know what to do."

Lost and shocked: that's how the family feels right now. They simply can't comprehend why anyone would want Yoni dead.

Ingris Maas, Older Sister
"He was a loved person. Last night there were many people at his wake. The body wasn't here, but all his beloved ones were here to have the wake with him. He doesn't have enemies and I don't know why they did this to him. They hurt him so bad. At least if it was a robbery, they should take the vehicle, they should take the money, but at least leave him alive. What should they do with this body that they left there? Will the eat it? Will they share it will all the ones that... I know it's not just one person that did this. I know there are 2-3 persons that did this."

And police are still trying to find those persons who did it, but for now, they have no answers.

Insp. Stephanie Grinage - Deputy Commissioner, Belmopan Division
"On Sunday 10th January at 10am, based on information received, police visited an area in the Mount Pleasant Road and off a feeder road, they found the lifeless body of Mr. Yoni Maas, 24 years old. The investigators are out checking at the bus terminal and those area to see if anyone saw him, who saw his last and who he picked up at that time."

While police investigate this case, there's a bigger picture: cab drivers are being targeted, and these men know that they face daily danger:

Elvin Calles, President, Green Light Taxi Association
"Well that's a concern that we all carry every day. We are like vulnerable to anybody, it is a concern."

Courtney Weatherburne
"How are you guys dealing with that concern or managing that fear, that maybe someone who you pick up is planning to kill you guys to hurt you all? How are you dealing with that?"

Elvin Calles, President, Green Light Taxi Association
"Well you just got to be on the lookout you know and be vigilant and as I said it's something that you cannot avoid. It's just a risky job. But it's a job that someone has to do."

Elmer Cante, Taxi Driver
"We are demanding more police patrol, because we need security. I mean cameras in this areas, so that if somebody leaves from here, you know with who."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Especially at night right."

Elmer Cante, Taxi Driver
"Last 3 years ago, another taxi driver disappeared - got killed. So we really need police patrol."

So now instead of Yohny's favorite songs, today there was only the piercing wails of grief to send him on.

Maas was shot to the face and chest. No one has been detained for his murder and his taxi still hasn't been recovered. The next Belmopan taxi driver, 28-year-old Isidro Suar was found dead on Friday night - and we'll tell you about his death in our next segment.

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