No matter how hard the police try to maintain a high presence, they can't be every place that a crime is committed. But they were yesterday. The drama unfolded around two thirty on Monday afternoon. The twenty four-year-old Belize City resident told police that he was heading home, when he was approached by a dark complexion man who asked him if he had anything to offer him. The young man replied no and continued on his journey.
The suspect since identified as eighteen-year-old Tyreek Cadle apparently did not like the answer. According to police, Cadle then rode past his target and stopped his bike just in front of the man, pulled out a small hand gun identified as a point twenty five and pulled the trigger. According to Deputy Commander of Eastern Division, Senior Superintendent of Police Chester Williams, it was a very close call for one very brave resident.
Sr. Supt. Chester Williams, Deputy Commander - Eastern Division
"The incident occurred near the corner of Neal's Penn and Kraal Roads in Belize City. This young was in the area when he was accosted by a dark complexioned male person who asked him what he has to give him. The person said he had nothing. This person rode off on his bicycle and later on came back to the person and he took out a firearm demanding something. This individual was seemingly not afraid of this person and he knocked the firearm and at simultaneously the person pulled the trigger and the gun went off but missed the person. A patrol was in the area and heard the gunshot went off and they responded. They caught the suspect riding off on his bicycle and upon seeing the police he threw the firearm which was search for and recovered. That person is now in custody and has been charged for attempted robbery, aggravated assault, and kept unlicensed
firearm and ammunition.
The police has a statutory responsibility to preserve law and order. And in so doing, we have tried our best over the last few years to work smarter. It is one of the things that the Commissioner of Police Mr. Westby told us in his message when he took over the department from Mr. Zetina, that he wants us to work smarter. We have hammering that to our officers and we can see where the officers out on the street are working smarter, they are getting the job done, and the operation personnel need to be commended for the work that they are doing. They are the ones on the street, we are just the ones behind the desk. They are the ones out there and they are doing a darn good job and they need to be commended for the work that they are doing and the police presence will continue and will intensify more as we approach the election period. We will be going after those persons who want to commit crimes without any sort of considerations and we will targetingw47[po them because we want the place to be peaceful, right throughout the year."
On Wednesday, Police Commissioner Gerald Westby will be meeting with all his of branch and unit commanders in Belmopan to discuss with them what is expected from the police for February 7th general elections.
