Crime
Jasmine Hartin is back in San Pedro’s court; case on Common Assault and Drug Possession adjourned
On Wednesday, November 22nd, Canadian National Jasmine Hartin returned to San Pedro’s Magistrate Court for the trial on the charges of Drug Possession and Common Assault. Hartin and her attorney, Arthur Saldivar, hoped to conclude these two legal matters. However, they were adjourned to January 26, 2024, to be heard at the Belize City Magistrate Court.
Crime & Violence
Juan Carlos Novel charged for the Caye Caulker homicide of Leslie Verde
On Saturday, November 4th, there was news from La Isla Cariñosa of Caye Caulker about the discovery of a woman found dead in her home. The deceased was identified as 32-year-old Leslie Verde. The body was bruised, and police have since launched an investigation into the cause of Verde's death. While investigations continue, no one has been detained.
Crime & Violence
Murder victims’ families call out police; want to speak with Police Minister
The mass shooting in San Pedrito, which left three dead, Delmar Rodriguez, 25, his baby daughter Amari Rodriguez, and friend Carlos Chi, continues to shock the community. The violent attack in the early hours of October 23rd also injured four other persons. Even though police have arrested and charged two suspects, Christian Espat and Michal Brown, the families of the fatal victims say police ignored their reports of threats. A week following the deadly shooting, they issued a statement talking about the heinous crime that has torn them apart.
Police News
American trio caught with stolen catamaran on Ambergris Caye arraigned for immigration offenses
On Friday, October 27th, three American nationals, bartender Elexa Chism, 26, bar owner Karim Osman, 29, and proclaimed lawyer David Blake Pendergrast, 45, were arraigned at the Belize City Magistrate Court after being arrested and charged in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye for immigration offenses. The trio was detained by police for shoplifting and later linked to the theft of a 58-foot $1.5 million catamaran from a Fort Lauderdale marina in Florida, USA, in September.
Crime & Violence
Michael Brown turns himself over to police after being named a suspect in San Pedrito mass shooting
On Tuesday, October 24th, Michael Brown, named as one of the two suspects in the deadly mass shooting in the San Pedrito area, turned himself over to the San Pedro Police.
Crime & Violence
Police looking for a person of interest in Ambergris Caye triple murder that included a 3-year-old baby girl
Major crimes in San Pedro, Ambergris, such as murders, have decreased over the last few years, but in the very early hours of Monday, October 23rd, all that changed when two adults and a 3-year-old baby girl were shot and killed in the San Pedrito subdivision. Police identified the deceased as Delmar Rodriguez, 25, and a second adult, Carlos Chi. The baby girl was Rodriguez’s daughter, Amari Rodriguez. Four bystanders were also caught in the hail of gunshots and airlifted to Belize City for further medical attention. Three of them remain in critical condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. As police investigations continue, they have one person of interest they are currently looking for. Police speculate that the motive is related to drug gang activity on the island.
Accidents & Disasters
South Americans hijacked Cessna Caravan in Placencia southern Belize
The Belize Police Department along with Civil Aviation continue investigating the crash landing of a Cessna Caravan in the southern Placencia Peninsula in the early hours of Monday, October 16th. Civil Aviation said it was not an approved flight and as such the incident is being criminally investigated. Preliminary information revealed the aircraft, belonging to a local airline, had been stolen from the Placencia airstrip and flown by a pair of South American nationals who perished when the aircraft crashed shortly after taking off in the darkness of the early morning.
Police News
Two persons detained in north Ambergris Caye keeping firearms without gun license
On Saturday, October 14th, San Pedro Police detained 29-year-old Emmanuel Marcos Garcia and 37-year-old Walter Antonio Lopez after they were found with an unlicensed firearm and ammunition. Police spotted them while on a patrol ten miles north of San Pedro Town. The pair were brought to the San Pedro Police Station, where they were jointly charged with keeping a firearm and ammunition without a gun license.
Accidents & Disasters
Devastating fire at Road Runner Golf Cart Rental determined as arson
The investigation into the early morning fire that destroyed 20 golf carts belonging to Road Runner Rentals and other structures and items in the rental’s garage was determined to be arson. No one has been detained, and while police continue investigating, reports indicate that the unfortunate incident left a loss of over half a million Belize dollars.
Crime & Violence
Suspected explosive device found on domestic flight from San Pedro to Belize City
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) sent personnel to the Sir Barry Bowen Municipal Airport in Belize City after they were alerted about an item resembling an explosive object sent as cargo on a local flight from San Pedro Town.
Police News
Jaylil Usher charged after being found with a weapon resembling an AK-47
The police on the island have been working on intelligence reports and are cracking down on the importation of illegal items to the island.
