$30,000 was stolen in a broad daylight armed robbery this morning in Belmopan. It could have been just another brazen crime you wearily shake your head at, but this one has a different ending: tonight the robber is in the hospital and the Chinese businessman got back his money. And that’s because of the effort of one bystander, who didn’t just stand by and let it happen. Keith Swift has the story.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The brazen robbery occurred at 8:10 this morning right in front of the Garden City Plaza in Belmopan, specifically the Atlantic Bank branch which is where Chinese businessman De Cai Liu was about to enter to make a deposit when he was approached and attacked by a man armed with a machete.
Supt. Aaron Guzman, OIC - Belmopan Police Station
“A businessman from Belmopan De Cia Lui, also known as Lu De Cai, who is the owner of Francisco Store, went to make a deposit at the Atlantic Bank. Upon him exiting his vehicle, he was attacked and robbed. The robber took away the deposit bag which had in a considerable amount of money and chopped Lu Di Cai, he had three gaping wounds on his right forearm and a small wound on the right forehead. Lui De Cai took out his firearm and fired at the culprit.”
But the assailant – since identified as this man - 20 year old Rufino Sho –fled with the money bag containing over $30,000. Lui De Cai was in pursuit and this man Delvin Galvez who was in the area at the time joined in.
Delvin Galvez, Apprehended Robbery Suspect
“I saw a guy running out with a machete from the Atlantic Bank and then there was a chiney man behind busting up shots and then instant when I saw that I knew a robbery was taking place. So instant I moved in and when I
moved in, I went ahead of the guy. And when I went ahead of the guy, I just intercepted with him and started to move in on him because I saw they were chasing him. So I started to track him down through the bushes and thing and I saw the man. I caged him in some bushes by A&R and then I let the chiney man come, same time I hollered for the chiney man, and the chiney man met him there and he bust a couple shots in there and caught the man, he shot him in the hip side.”
Supt. Aaron Guzman,
“We responded out there and the citizen had him held down and Lui De Cai had him at gunpoint. So he was taken into custody, the deposit bag with all the monies were recovered, and the gentleman that we have detained Rufino Sho received a gunshot wound to the right groin area. It exited the right side of his buttocks and caused some fracture to his right pelvis.”
Keith Swift,
Was he shot after he was cornered with the citizens or while he still running from the businessman?
Supt. Aaron Guzman,
“We are not sure right now if it was when he attacked Lui De Cai right there and then or in the chase immediately after.”
Keith Swift,
Is Mr. Sho someone known to police, a known troublemaker?
Supt. Aaron Guzman,
“Yes he has been dealt with on previous occasions by Belmopan police.”
Keith Swift,
As for the Chinese businessman, do the police believe this was justified use of force?
Supt. Aaron Guzman,
“Well right now as the investigation shows, to my mind, to the investigators, he was justified.”
Supt. Aaron Guzman says that if there was a hero in this case – it is Delvin Galvez.
Supt. Aaron Guzman,
“I must say thanks to those persons who helped us and it is in that light when we look out for each other that we keep our community safer because this robbery, because it is a complete robbery, because he did rob Lui De Cai, he did get away with the deposit bag, but he was caught.”
Keith Swift,
You could have been hurt because this guy had a machete?
Delvin Galvez,
“Yes I could have gotten hurt but I was just brave as usual. I could have gotten a lot of hurt but I am just a brave man. I just want the Chiney man know that I need a little something too because right now my life is in danger still because I don’t know who were with those guys and what they have for me so I don’t know what will take place yet.”
20 year old Rufino Sho is now under police guard at the hospital. When he recovers, he will be charged with robbery. We should note that the shots fired by the Chinese businessman were from his licensed 9 milimeter Glock pistol.
