An expat's hideaway in the San Ignacio hills was burglarized by 5 armed bandits last night when they attempted to steal a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV that wasn't on the property.
It happened at about 10:20 pm when the property's live-in maintenance worker, 38-year-old Micias Tzib was held at gunpoint.
This morning when our 7News team travelled to the extremely remote location we could only imagine how terrified the victims were knowing that there was no one around for miles when their assailants attacked.
Cherisse Halsall
It was just before 11 pm last night That a stolen Nissan Rogue busted full speed out of this road headed for the Guatemalan border.
Police had set up an impromptu checkpoint to intercept the bandits but they didn't stop. Instead, they blew through the checkpoint guns blazing. In the process, they knocked down one male officer and shot a female officer above the knee.
It was a daring escape from the hilltop home they'd invaded and burglarized, even if they hadn't gotten exactly what they wanted.
We know that because when the gunman entered the garage his first words to the maintenance worker whom he held at gunpoint were: "Where's the white Prado." That White Prado which is in fact a Toyota Land Cruiser was being driven by the property manager who was on leave.
Also on the property were the property manager's brother Isai Figueroa and his two daughters ages 6 and 11. He declined an on-camera interview but told us that he spotted the gunmen on approach and quietly got the children off the property.
And in the dark of the night, they jumped off the back porch, squeezed themselves through the barbed wire fence, and hid in the bushes.
And that's where they remained until they heard the thieves drive off down the hill in their second choice stolen vehicle, the property's Nissan Rogue.
But they seemed to have taken a wrong turn after their violent run-in with the police. And instead of heading for the traditional escape route to Guatemala which is the road to Arenal - they instead turned right onto the Benque road.
Cherisse Halsall
And it was here at Calla Creek's hammock bridge that they had no choice but to abandon the stolen vehicle.
It was later recovered and brought to the San Ignacio police station to be processed but as you can see it's quite badly damaged - while the suspects are at large.
The 5 burglars who were reportedly dressed in camouflage with camouflage masks also made off with assorted electronics and $300.00BZD in cash. Their getaway car was abandoned in such a rush that it was left with the lights still on and the keys still in the ignition.
Police Constable Che who had to jump into the bushes to avoid the full speed Nissan Rogue received abrasions to his body and an injury to his head. CORPORAL Guzman is at the Western regional hospital currently receiving treatment for a gunshot wound above her knee.
