Belmopan police have come through again - charging two men today for the murder of public officer Israel Perez. Those men are 33 year old Cruz Castillo and 22 year old Stanely Herrera Jr. The cops have collected a large trove of evidence from Cruz Castillo’s Cotton Tree home – he is the main accused. The evidence gathered so far suggests that Castillo killed Perez and then almost assumed his identity - driving his vehicle, using his tennis shoes, and taking the dead man’s customized medallion - and putting it on his own chain!
But the charade ended when police found him handling Perez’s stolen property - and, after a few days of investigation, they gathered enough evidence to charge him and Herrera Jr.. Courtney Weatherburne was at their quite eventful arraignment in Belmopan today.
The family of Israel Perez can breathe a sigh of relief after two men were charged with his murder this afternoon.
Voice of Orlando Perez, Brother
"We feel relief and hopefully it's just the first successful step that will lead to a conviction but we feel relief. Obviously we fear for our lives so with him being behind bars we feel better now."
Around 2:38, 33 year old Cruz Castillo with the head band and 22 year old Stanley Herrera Jr. with the Seventy Sixers jersey were escorted to the Belmopan Magistrates court for their arraignment. But as they were heading to court, Cruz charged at Plus TV’s Luis Wade – visibly incensed by all the cameras around. The officers had to quickly shove him into another court room to diffuse the situation. It’s certainly not a scene you see every day at court. Now although these men have been charged, police still have to piece together all the elements of this case and establish a clear motive for this brutal murder.
ACP Joseph Myvette - Head, NCIB
"Police investigation have lead to the detention of 2 person for which charges are forthcoming later."
Reporter
"Are these two persons people he may have known?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"Yes those are persons he was familiar with."
Reporter
"Sir is there anything to say on what motivated this killing?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"So far no, we are still working the investigation."
Reporter
"Have you guys been able to put a timeline together as to perhaps when he was killed?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"So far not yet."
Reporter
"Sir did he, I'm not sure if the family indicated to you if he had any personal belonging on him at the time when he left home. Did the police find any of his personal items?"
ACP Joseph Myvette
"Yes that is a part of the investigation some items that were found."
What makes this case even more troubling is that Cruz Castillo is like a brother to Perez, they both grew up together at the King’s Children’s Home.
Courtney Weatherburne
"I'm sure it comes as a shock, Cruz is close to the family no?"
Voice of Orlando Perez
"Yes ma’am."
It’s a shocking reality that the Perez family has to live with for the rest of their lives.
Reports say that Perez appeared to have been killed at Cruz Castillo’s home in Cotton Tree village. After that Castillo allegedly took Perez’s power washer - and washed out the house completely to get rid of the huge bloodstains.
Reports tell us that police have also recovered a number of personal items stolen from Perez including a television and other pieces of jewelry. Police are also in the possession of the two shovels which are believed to have been used to bury Perez. These were also found at Castillo’s home.
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