Yesterday afternoon there was an armed home invasion and big money robbery at a home in the King's Park area of Belize City. It happened in broad daylight, around 2:30 when two men strode into the Sylvester home at the corner of "A" Street and Princess Margaret drive. The doors were apparently opened because there was some construction work ongoing at the house. Once inside the men - one Hispanic and one dark skinned - accosted homeowner, 75-year-old Maria "Maude" Sylvestre and her daughter and son in law, who were visiting from the US. They pointed a gun at them and ordered them to lie down on the floor where they were robbed of jewelry, an iphone and a camera. The gunman then reportedly told the homeowner 75 year old Maria Maude Sylvestre to show him the safe and open it.
Police say he helped himself to assorted jewelries valuing $50,000.00, and $20,000.00 US dollars in cash. They stole a few more items and then assaulted the care taker as they went down the stairs. Both men then ran down Princess Margaret Drive. It's a major heist and a very disturbing one because of the location and the time of day. Today police held a press conference to say they are working hard to make arrests. They said they are beginning with those who had some inside knowledge of the house:..
Jules Vasquez
"Is there any indication if these robbers had any expectation that there was cash in the house? Did they show any inside knowledge about the property?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo, Officer Commanding CIB
"So far what the investigation is showing, to us, it may look like yes they had some knowledge of what was in the house. Hence the reason that we have brought several persons at the house and we are interviewing them at this moment. Also likewise yesterday after the report, police did a follow up and they found one of the cell phone that was stolen by the Marian Jones Complex on St Matthew Street."
Sup. Hilberto Romero
"Certainty the investigation reveal that these persons may have had information as to the layout of this house. As it related to other residences in the area, we will re-strategize our patrols in that general area and certainly the police presence will be beefed up in that area to prevent any reoccurrence."
ASP Alejandro Cowo, Officer Commanding CIB
"We have canvassed the area several times yesterday and this morning, we are trying to go from house to house to establish if there's any camera in there that can assist us likewise. All our resources at this time is being placed on that report because of the nature and of the amount of items and value of the items that were stolen."
Sup. Hilberto Romero
"At this time we have persons of interest. During the course of last night there was several houses that have been searched in order to try and recover some items. So far nothing has been found except for that phone that has been found on the street as mentioned. But of course we are looking at persons who are frequent in that area and the mode as how it happened. We are certainly looking for those persons for this particular investigation."
As they said Police have canvassed the area, including the many working on a building across the street - but no one saw anything.
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