This weekend Police made arrests in 2 prominent murder cases in the Cayo District.
About 4 months ago, we told you about the shooting murder of 54-year-old Gonzalo Rosado, the former General Manager of the Border Management Agency.
Rosado was found dead inside his vehicle, in front of his yard in San Jose Succotz. Someone shot and killed him after he went to pick up a familiar female and 2 other passengers.
Then, last month, 49-year-old Wayne Cadle, a supervisor for BECOL, was shot and killed in Benque Viejo Town. It was suspected that Cadle was targeted by cross-border bandits who were attempting to steal his company's 2020 Futon pickup truck.
That vehicle is still missing, but this morning, police announced that they have arrested and charged 2 people in connection with the murders of Rosado and Cadle. At this time, the only link between the cases are the suspects who now face charges.
They are a 17-year-old female minor from the Cayo District, and 18-year-old Sergio Pineda, aka "Sergi". Reliable reports to 7News were that Guatemalan law enforcement detained Pineda at a business place in Melchor, Guatemala. He was handed over to Belize police yesterday, and both suspects have since been arrested and charged.
This morning, the Police Department's Public relations officer shared a few details:
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood - Director of Communications, ComPol's Office
"We have 2 arrests, 18-year-old Sergio Pineda, who was detained by our counterparts in neighboring Guatemala. [He] was charged for conspiracy to commit murder for Sergio Rosado, along with this 17-year-old female minor. They were also charged with conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of Mr. Wayne Cadle, which occurred earlier this month, also in the Benque Viejo police judicial area."
Reporter
"So, these 2 persons were charged in connection with both?"
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood
"Both murders."
Reporter
"Sir, is there any connection between the two cases - apart from these suspects that have been arrested and charged?"
ASP Fitzroy Yearwood
"Well, we know that investigators have reached a juncture, and after consultation with the DPP's Office, they believe that they have enough evidence to charge both these persons in connection with both these murders. So now, it's only a waiting game for us to know who the main suspect is, and hopefully, it will be not too far from now."
Police say that both defendants are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder and abetment to commit murder for the killing of Wayne Cadle.
No formal announcement has been made yet about the charges they're facing in connection with the murder of Gonzalo Rosado. Reliable sources suggest, however, that the 17-year-old female is facing these same charges in connection with Rosado's shooting death.
We'll keep following the story. Both victims were prominent members of their communities.
