Yesterday, a home invasion was reported in Cristo Rey village, but quick police work resulted in the apprehension of one man and the seizure of a firearm. In this case, the neighborhood watch had a big part to play in the arrests:
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"Police have detained one male person and recovered a firearm and a piece of jewelry as a consequence of a response and subsequent investigation into an aggravated burglary, which occurred on 4th June, 2026 in Cristo Rey Village, Cayo District. The investigation commenced at around 9.30 a.m. when San Ignacio police were advised that an aggravated burglary was in process at a residence on the outskirts of Cristo Rey Village. The officers responded immediately and upon their arrival, they observed two male persons fleeing from the residence and a pursuit ensued, which resulted in the apprehension of one of the male persons and the recovery of a.22 pistol along with live rounds of ammunition, as well as an item of jewelry belonging to the homeowner. What we have learned so far in the course of this investigation is that the homeowner, being a 66-year-old female, stated that she had just left from inside of her vehicle when she was accosted by two male persons who forced her into her house at gunpoint and they proceeded to ransack the residence, packaging a number of items. However, when they heard a vehicle approaching, presumably the police's mobile, they fled, making off with solely their jewelry because they were not able to take the other items that they had packaged."
Reporter
"Was it simply a crime of opportunity or was she at a residence that's known to have high value items?"
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
"I believe incidents of such are not crimes of opportunity. That's why on previous occasions, I would have stated the importance of neighborhood watch and persons investing in security systems, cameras and persons simply just being aware of their surroundings because much like a few other incidents that I reported in the past in the same Cayo district, it happens when these persons are coming outside of their vehicle, which suggests that persons are laying in the wait. And I must say that on this occasion, it is because of the community's recognition of strange persons within their area that a call was made and police was able to intercede and bring this matter to the arrest that it has."
