As you saw earlier in the news, the commissioner suggested crime is on a downturn because of the SOE. But, what he didn't say and what the police haven't been reporting on - is the surge in armed robberies.
There were five significant armed robberies between Friday and Monday.
Starting on On Friday afternoon in Belize City, a 35 year old woman named Shayne Young, was in a 2024 Toyota Hilux conducting sales in front of Bolo Shop on Partridge Street, Belize City when she was robbed by two men wearing motorcycle helmets, one of them armed with a firearm. They stole a cash bag with over two thousand dollars, a cell phone and the vehicle key. The men then hopped on a on a Lifan motorcycle heading towards Partridge Street Extension and escaped.
And then on Friday night at 9:00, 45 year old delivery man Sylvin Encalada he went to deliver food in an alley located on Perez Road, Ladyville. That's where three men came out of the bush, pointed a firearm and robbed him of his waist bag containing $400.00 dollars in cash his Lifan motorcycle- and they even took the food he was about to deliver, a package valued at $123.00 dollars,
And then on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 in Belize City, 63 year old Angel Rivero was walking on Mosul St., when he was robbed by two men one of therewith a firearm. They threw the alderman to the ground and stole $3,555 in cash. Both men then ran down an alley.
There were also armed robberies in Corozal and Belmopan. The first happened in Xaibe on Saturday where 3 armed, masked men held up 38 year old shopkeeper Mariceli Nas. They stole cash and valuables amounting to $2,350.00 dollars. Police found an abandoned motorcycle in the area.
And in Belmopan on Monday night at 7:00, 57 year old Photographer Elizardo Manuel Manzanilla was walking through the Central Walk when he was approached from behind by two men who placed him in a kneeling position and robbed him of $670.00 dollars in cash, as well as his Canon camera valued at $800.00 dollars, and a printer valued at $700.00 dollars.
And while significant for public safety since all these crime involve firearms - they are not classified by police as major crimes.
