It shocked Belmopan residents on Friday July 15th when three armed men stormed into the Income Tax office at 5:50, held everyone at gunpoint, tied up the staffers and a policeman, took the cop’s gun, and then left with thirty thousand dollars from the cash drawer. Well, last night the thieves are the ones who were stunned when Belmopan police moved in on them at the San Ignacio hideout. With help from the community and surveillance video – which captured the getaway vehicle, police were able to nab the four suspects along with weapons and cash last night. The officer commanding in Belmopan told us more:…
Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"The suspects left along enough personal particulars and I won't get into any further details in relation to that. That we were able know who these people were and we have all suspects in custody; 4 people total 3 men and 1 woman. We believe the woman was the driver of the vehicle at the time and the 3 men were the persons who robbed the income tax department and held up the police and the staff members. So far we been in operation last week in the San Ignacio area we were able to confiscate one rental, two motorcycles, a large cash of Belizean currency, one 9 millimetre pistol, the 38 revolver that was stolen from the police the officer at the time."
Jules Vasquez
"Was there an inside person, was there someone from the inside assisting in this crime?"
Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"From on the onset when we heard this first I was at of the thinking that was the case. We could believe that but I don't believe we have sufficient evidence to lay a charge."
Jules Vasquez
"Is the arrest important? In so far as sending a message that even though the crime may have appeared to have well-orchestrated the investigators were still able to catch up with the suspect."
Sr. Supt. Howell Gillett - OC, Belmopan Police
"I can tell you that our officers work tirelessly the entire weekend up until just a few moments ago when we were able to get sufficient evidence to be able to direct them now to law charges against the suspects."
The four will be charged for robbery, abetment to commit robbery, and possession of two unlicensed firearms. Other charges for these suspects and for the alleged inside person may follow.
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