Last night we reported that the Police Department had stepped up efforts to minimize crime during the Christmas season with increased patrols and visibility. Well apparently the criminals didn't get the memo because between 10:30 am and 5 pm yesterday - there were five separate armed robberies in Belize City. Police believe the incidents aren't related and up to news time they had made no arrests. Three of the victims were deliverymen. Deputy Commander of Eastern Division - Senior Superintendent Chester Williams gave us the rundown.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division
"Yesterday we did have a number of robberies, three of which were basically involving persons doing delivery or picking up cash from various business houses. In one instance there was a person went to pick up cash after having sold three cases of ham from Santino's. That person was relieved of just over $1,000 and we also have another incident on Baghdad Street whereby another delivery truck was robbed and we have another incident on Jasmine Street again where another delivery truck was robbed. Yes I must say that we have very intense police presence all over the city but we do not expect that the police presence will deter all the crimes that we anticipate will occur during the Christmas time. As we all know that the Christmas is a time when everyone wants money and robbers will take opportunity of those shopping and likewise the delivery trucks that are doing various deliveries at the various business houses."
But the first robbery report yesterday came at 10:30 am when two men walked into Tortilleria Maya Factory on Water Lane. One of them was dressed in camouflage and he pulled out a gun and pointed it at the store manager Ismael Cantun. The men took $800 from the cash register and fled. Senior Superintendent Chester Williams had this advice for businesses.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"What we would urge the business owners to do is to try and not to have too much cash in these vehicles and when these vehicles are going to do their delivery, try and avoid having too many knowing when these trucks will be doing delivery. And those persons who are out on the street shopping, please not to show that you are spending too much money or spending a lot of money because at times you are being watched without even realizing you are being watched. So be more careful, be more meticulous in what you are doing. We can't stop you from spend your money but at the same time we want you to be careful how you do things, know who you have around you, don't take out too much money in public because people are watching."
Williams says the prime targets for criminals during the Christmas season are shoppers. And while he wasn't shopping, yesterday 53 year old Louis Chan was robbed of nearly $8,000 in cash and valuables. It happened in broad daylight on Peter Seco Street where Chan says he was walking when two men approached him. One of the men pulled out a gun which they hit him with. Chan fell to the ground and the men used to the opportunity to search him. He says they took BZ$3,900, US$2,000, along with a cell phone and jewelry. Senior Superintendent Chester Williams says shoppers should be aware at all times.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams,
"We have spoken to our officers to try to intensify more on the stop and search, target persons who are riding on bicycles, especially those in groups because we have found that the modus operandi of the people committing these crimes are mostly persons on bicycles and persons riding in groups of two or more. So we have told the officers on the streets to whenever you groups or two or more riding bicycles looking suspicious, stop them, search them, and all these will be a form of deterrence. We have also intensified our vehicle search methods because sometimes vehicles are also used to commit crimes. So right now the vehicle search is also something we are looking at. We will also be looking at people who are seen in the shopping areas who are not normally there, looking suspicious, because sometimes they just go there to see what is taking place then eventually they plan their move and then come back to do what they have to do."
Again no arrests have been made in the incidents. If you have any information that can lead to an arrest you are asked to call Crime Stoppers at 0-800-922--TIPS.
