Exactly a week to the day after the sensational broad daylight Belize Bank robbery in Orange Walk Town, police today charged 5 of the group of 8 men believed to have been involved in setting up and pulling off the brazen armed heist at the Belize Bank in Orange Walk town.
This morning, 7NEWS was in Orange Walk as they were taken to Magistrate's Court.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
Hundreds of spectators gathered this morning at the Orange Walk police station to see 5 men hauled off to Magistrate's Court. After, for security reasons, police removed some that had come too close to the station and cordoned off the area. After the area was cleared Juan Jose Rivas Arce, Carlos Augustine Campos, Israel Adolfo Carpio, Douglas Timoteo Jimenez and Jose Gabino Henriquez were taken to Magistrate's Court under heavy guard. There, Rivas and Campos pleaded guilty claiming that their statement was forced out of them. It's a claim Superintendent Mario Vernon denounces.
Supt. Mario Vernon,
"I expect these things to come out in court because that's the remarks prisoners usually say when they want sympathy especially when they want bail they say that to the magistrate."
The men were captured in Orange walk town and in Caye Caulker village last week. This morning they were read 11 robbery related charges and further charges of assault and abduction are pending. Vernon says their case is strong especially after recovering a portion of the money that was taken.
Supt. Mario Vernon,
"$20,138 was recovered. They were charged with robbery for that money, and then two counts of unlawful imprisonment of the manager and his assistant and then 18 other counts of aggravated assault upon staff and customers."
Now the efforts are focused on closing in on two other men who are also believed to be part of the gang of bandits. One is presumed to be the ringleader and the other was one that jumped into the river to escape after being injured.
Supt. Mario Vernon,
"I know that there is someone out there very seriously injured. We have gotten indications here in Orange walk a long trail of blood so that person needs medical attention.""
"We have not catch the ringleader but we know who he is and we will put out a wanted poster soon."
The police are also looking at this bullet-ridden van that was used as the getaway vehicle as well as other suspects that are cast as Vernon put it in a wider circle.
Supt. Mario Vernon,
"There is a wider circle which we need to cover which includes people who didn't go to the bank but assisted with the vehicle, getting gas etc. And that will take us some time."
And more importantly the two known suspects who are still at large were charged in abscencia.
Magistrate Robert Ordonez remanded all 5 to prison until April 29th.