7 News Belize

Killer Canuck On the Lam?
posted (June 16, 2016)
Police in San Pedro are now playing catch up in the Melvin Almendarez murder investigation. That's because the main suspect Canadian National Jordan Bacchus can't be found. In May when Almendarez was murdered, Bacchus was detained as the prime person of interest since he was the last person seen with Almendarez before he was found dead on a feeder road in Southern San Pedro. At the time, Bacchus was charged for possession of controlled drugs but was granted bail and released shortly after. A month has passed, and now police are turning to the public for assistance because Bacchus, now officially wanted by police for the murder of 31 year old Melvin Almendarez, is at large.

The San Pedro Sun reports that there was overwhelming evidence against Bacchus: we are talking about a bloody clothes at his residence, blood at the bottom of his golf cart, hair specimens from the victim on his belongings, and a positive test result for gun powder on his hands…seems like the only thing left was the smoking gun! But just why wasn't held by police pending further investigations? Well, it seems there was no objection to bail after he was charged for possession of controlled drugs. It's the common practice in the court room where the prosecutor would object to bail pending the investigation of another more serious offense.

But it never happened. And although Bacchus surrendered all his travelling documents as required by the court, police are not sure if he is still in the country. Notices have been issued to all ports of entry and exits and the Canadian Consulate in the country has also been notified.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Bacchus you can call San Pedro police at 206-2022.

Still, no motive for the crime has been established but the circumstances of Almendarez's death remain the same. Police believe he was run over by a golf cart before he was shot and killed. Melvin Almendarez was a well loved football player and a father of 3.

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