We begin tonight with news of the most daring and most deadly bank robbery in Belize’s modern history. It happened this morning before 9:00 in Spanish Lookout. A KBH security guard was shot and killed, two customers were wounded, and a third customer was robbed when the gang of 5 heavily armed gunmen descended on the Spanish Lookout branch of Scotia Bank. Our team has been on the story since this morning and Keith Swift reports from Spanish Lookout.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The scene of the daring robbery turned murder was the Scotia Bank Branch on Center Road in Spanish Lookout. The sign says it is closed but it was open for business this morning when the first gunshot rang out in the parking lot at around 8:30.
Voice of Eyewitness,
“We heard a gunshot and when we heard a gunshot then I looked out through the window and I saw the security guard drop down and then I went towards it. I was planning to go and help him and then they honked the horn and there was a white Tracker with dark tinted windows, they honked the horn and they
signalled me to turn back so I told all of my people that were behind me to turn back.”
The security guard was KBH employee Steven Lopez who was standing in the parking lot – unarmed. Police say that after shooting him, three of the four gunmen then stormed into the bank.
Supt. Paul Wade, OIC - San Ignacio Police
“They were well armed and they forced the workers to open the vault and they went with an undisclosed amount of cash.”
In addition to the cash from the vault, the robbers then stole $10,000 from a customer who made a withdrawal. They then turned their guns on two customers who were in this Geo Metro making a withdrawal. The two customers tried to flee the scene and that is when the gunmen opened fire on them – shattering a window and seriously injuring one of them.
Voice of Eyewitness,
”That black car was notified to stop right there and when the car didn’t stop then they shot into the car, they shot the car, and they shot in through the back window and the glass shattered right there. That is as far as I really did see.”
Keith Swift,
“So when you saw the security guard on the ground, the robbers were then leaving?”
Voice of Eyewitness,
“No they were inside the bank but I didn’t know. I didn’t know they were robbers because they were inside the bank and one person was
out there as far as I noticed in the vehicle controlling everything. And when they started firing, that is when the guys came running out.”
A shootout with the single police officer ensued – one robber was shot but they all fled in a Suzuki Sidekick. Hareem Perez was one of the first persons on the scene.
Hareem Perez, Rendered Aid
“They were two guys running with gunshots. They were asking for help and at the same time I noticed the security guard apparently dead in the parking lot at the Scotia Bank. I called the police, I called the news crew, and the ambulance and all kind of thing.”
This morning his wife Shaily Lopez wept inconsolably as she sat in the driveway next to the blood of her husband and father of her unborn child.
Shaily Lopez, Wife of Deceased
“The man didn’t live to see his first baby. He was excited to see the baby. He really was looking forward. Everyday he came home and rubbed
my belly and just talked about the baby that he couldn’t wait to see him and he wondered if he will look like him.”
Keith Swift,
“And you guys just got married right?”
Shaily Lopez,
“We just got married in January.”
Lopez is normally stationed at Belize Natural Energy but today he was on a double shift and reported to Scotia Bank this morning at 7. Shaily says her husband was unarmed and she blames that for his death.
Shaily Lopez,
“How the hell will they put somebody out here to do security without a gun? How. From starting last week they put two security there so he told me that he knew his boss knew something would happen at the bank and that is why they put two security there and they still didn’t give them guns. He said Scotia Bank didn’t want to sponsor the gun, didn’t want to pay for the guns and so KBH wouldn’t give them unless the bank pay for it and so he was unarmed and he couldn’t defend himself.”
Back in Spanish Lookout, there was a heavy police presence as villagers and officers have launched an all out manhunt for the killers by air, on two and three wheelers, and at multiple check points.
Supt. Paul Wade,
“We are using all the resources
available to us to investigate this case and we are calling, we are asking the general public that if they have any information to get in touch with us.”
Keith Swift,
“Do you believe these guys are from Spanish Lookout?”
Supt. Paul Wade,
“I don’t know where they are from but our information suggests that they appear to be local Belizeans.”
Keith Swift,
“But not from Spanish Lookout?”
Supt. Paul Wade,
“Well I don’t know where they are from.”
The armed robbery turned murder is surprising because it occurred here in Spanish Lookout and violent crimes like these don’t happen here. But what makes it stunning and maybe even incredible is that Scotia Bank is located next to the Spanish Lookout Police Station.
Supt. Paul Wade,
“Criminals nowadays they are determined and that is the reason. Criminals are pretty determined to carry out these acts.”
And as Spanish Lookout residents washed away the blood from the Scotia Bank
parking lot, they have resigned themselves to the fact that violent crimes are a sign of the times – even in Spanish Lookout.
Allan Reimer, Chairperson - Spanish Lookout
“It is terrible but it is real and so it is just one of the things, while we live in Belize, we just have to cope with. It is here, it is there, there is no way around it and it is terrible.”
Hareem Perez,
“For us and the entire community it is hard to accept that this happens in our village and our community because apparently it is a safe community and for big crimes like this going on, it is very shocking for people here. We are seeing crime is getting big around the country. Even we feel the impact of the crime going on in Belize.”
Voice of Eyewitness,
“To tell you the truth yes, I did think it would happen because those people don’t allow people to wear guns and I think from my point of view they should be allowed to have guns to protect themselves. The security guards and police, they should all have protection. He had nothing to protect himself, poor thing.”
Allan Reimer,
“That has never happened before but crime has no boundaries.”
Keith Swift,
“How does the community move on from here? Have you lost your sense of security?”
Allan Reimer,
“We will never lose a sense of security. Definitely changes will have to be made, security will have to be stepped up but by no means is this the end of the story. We will go on.”
And while Spanish Lookout will go on, it won’t be as easy for Shaily Lopez and her unborn child.
According to unofficial reports, one of the two customers was shot three times in the back and reportedly is in serious condition. Police are refusing to release his name. The other shooting victim – identified to us by his family as Clifford Armstrong – was treated and released from the Belmopan Hospital.
Police again are on the lookout for a white four door Suzuki Sidekick with tinted windows. Again one of those suspects was injured in the crossfire with police. Police this evening told us that they are making progress on the investigation but wouldn’t say if anyone had been detained.
A Scotia Bank representative told us the country manager is in contact with the Commissioner of Police and directed us to the Police Department for any comment. When asked about the bank’s practice of not allowing security guards to carry guns, she declined comment.
As we noted at the top of the story, it is the deadliest bank robbery on record and that is because a security guard was killed and another man is very seriously injured. The only bank robbery on our records which compares is the Belize Bank Orange Walk robbery in March 2004 – when in that case one of the bank robbers was killed by police.
