The popular Waver Pharmacy on North Front Street was the target of an armed robber this morning. At 10:50, a man on a bicycle armed with a 9 milimeter pistol walked into the pharmacy on North Front Street and requested medicine for a toothache. When the pharmacist went to get it – the robber pulled out his gun and demanded money. But this morning’s robbery attempt didn’t end like most do because the fearless pharmacist pulled out his licensed handgun and pointed it at the robber – who then fled – leaving behind his bike and his gun. Though the pharmacist declined comment, the officer in charge of Crimes Investigation at Eastern Division Julio Valdez told us what happened.
ASP Julio Valdez, CIB Belize City
“A male person went into the pharmacy and ordered some pills because apparently they asked for toothache pills and shortly after when the person turned around to get the pills, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at the male person who was the pharmacy, the attendant, and the attendant apparently did something and he got his gun out, his licensed 9 mm and pointed it at the would be robber and he apparently got frightened, throwed down his gun and run out.”
Keith Swift,
So he ran left his gun?
ASP Julio Valdez,
“Yes we got a 9 mm and we got a bicycle which he was riding on. We
know who the suspect is and we are looking for him.”
Keith Swift,
The story sounds almost comical that he went in there to rob and then he is the one who ran out.
ASP Julio Valdez,
“Yes it sounds so but that is what happened and apparently the attendant, the person working at the pharmacy was bold enough to say we are working hard to get rid of these persons committing robberies and so we will do this.”
Keith Swift,
How concerned are you that yet again this was a broad daylight robbery, big morning on North Front Street?
ASP Julio Valdez,
“Yes 10:50 in the morning. As you mentioned the persons are getting more brazen. It is a small group of people who are out there. They are not working, they want easy money, and these are the ones who are committing these robberies. It is not a lot, it is a small group of people. We know most of them.
My advice is they need to be alert, they need to be alert for when people go into their business places. Look at them, make sure they recognize who they are and what their intention is and this is what apparently people are doing, going into pharmacies and business places pretending that they are would be customers and then asking for something and they distract the person and it is then they approach them and hold them up with the firearms or whatever weapons they have.”
And you want to know what the best part is? The 9 milimeter pistol used by the robber was empty! Police say they know who they are looking for. The suspect who they have yet to apprehend was recently released from jail for a similar offence.
