Many families retreat to rural Belize especially over the weekends seeking to relax and enjoy a quiet time either at their favorite getaway, with relatives or on the farm but separate incidents over the weekend shattered the peaceful environment inside the homes of two families in the Cayo and Stann Creek districts.
The first home invasion occurred around twelve thirty on Friday afternoon. Thirty five year old Elba Arce told Belmopan police that she was at her residence in St. Matthews Village when two dark complexioned men, armed with guns, entered the house. Because of what transpired inside the residence police strongly suspect that it was no random act of violence rather the men who were also armed with information went to the location for specific items that included firearms ammunition and firearms.
Arce told authorities that one of the men pointed his handgun at her and then used it to strike her on the arm, legs and head. Both of them then searched the home. The men found one Remington rifle, one, twenty two Marun rifle, a Smith and Wesson twelve gauge pump action shotgun, a nine milimeter Glock pistol and ammunition for the firearms. The men also stole an electronic metal safe that contained the documents for all the weapons. The police have been trying to determine who knew that the firearms and ammunition were inside the home but so far no one has been detained. The weapons were all licensed and used for hunting.
But as Belmopan police continue to look for the home invaders and robbers, Their counterparts in the south did manage to detain three individuals identified in another home invasion. The incident unfolded around seven inside the home of thirty five year old Enio Hernandez. According to the victim, the men he identified as Margarito Lemus Sr. and Jr. and one William Lemus arrived at his house and accused him of stealing money and that the father who was armed with a sixteen gauge shotgun pointed it at him and threatened to kill him. Hernandez also claimed that Margarito Jr. stole a flash light and punched him in the head.
As a result, Independence Police have arrested all three suspects and the father and his sons have been charged with aggravated assault and are scheduled to appear in Dangriga Magistrate Court on Tuesday. Independence police say that the accused have not been cooperating with them and although they have accused Hernandez of stealing their money, they have yet to inform the police just how much money was allegedly taken.
