A pair of armed men robbed the cargo section at Maya Island Air this morning at 9:15. They shot two employees as they went after an Atlantic Bank package headed for its branch in the cayes. And while the brazen robbers thought that they were getting a money bag – so valuable that it was worth shooting two men for, what they got was not all that. Jacqueline Godwin was there minutes after and she found out more.
Jacqueline Godwin Reporting,
Police have not yet determined if the shooting was the result of a holdup and robbery planned several weeks ago but around nine this morning, two employees of Atlantic Bank Limited arrived in this delivery van to either pick up or drop off mail.
But as the vehicle approached the airline’s cargo building to the rear of the compound the bank employees Jermaine Tillett and Eugene Smith came under fire. One of the bullets struck the window of the front passenger door. Smith reportedly was hit in the leg and abdomen while Tillett was shot in the leg. Both were rushed to the KHMH and remain hospitalized in a stable condition.
According to the head of Crimes Investigation Branch in Belize City ASP Aaron Guzman, no money was taken.
ASP Aaron Guzman,
“We had what we believe to be an attempt robbery, or a robbery so to speak because as far as we understand it the culprits did get away with a
bag. What we can say to you is that as we speak the bag does not have in any money. So obviously these criminals took off with documents. Of course all documents are valuable but it is only documents so far.”
Shortly after the shooting police detained Giovanni Lauriano, a man who is no stranger to the police. He was found three minutes away in a blue vehicle. While he is in custody, they are appealing for public assistance.
ASP Aaron Guzman,
“We are looking for a white vehicle, a Honda Accord. If it is that anyone sees that vehicle driving around, if they could call the police hotline so that we could get that vehicle and we go from there.”
Jacqueline Godwin,
Why is this vehicle being sought, was it seen in the parking lot?
ASP Aaron Guzman,
“As far as we know that vehicle was seen driving off from the scene so that’s the vehicle we are looking for."
Businesses need to be aware of whatever transaction they are doing and security conscious. If this place was being watched, I cannot say, I don’t have that information but I must say to all business persons that you must be security conscious in whatever you do and make sure you do it well.”
At the crime scene police forensic marked at least seven locations where expended shells were recovered. Jacqueline Godwin for 7NEWS.
And while one man has been detained – police are looking for a white Honda Accord with license plate, C-23444 which is suspected for possible involvement.
