Martinez Arraigned for Burglary

Zaccheus Agustus Martinez

Burglars cleaned out a woman’s apartment taking all her household items while she was away. But quick response by the police, led to the recovery of two od the stolen items and her next door neighbour, who is a Bowen an Bowen Delivery Supervisor, has been arrested. Thirty two year old Zacceheus Martinez, however, claims he found the items in his yard when he appeared before Magistrate, Ladonna John and was arraigned for Burglary.  Sometime between February twelfth and May eighteenth, 2015, the house of Lesvia Betancourt on Faber’s Road in Belize City was burglarized. About five thousand dollars worth of household items including a sofa set, light fixtures, a refrigerator and a mattress were stolen.   In court, Martinez pleaded not guilty to Burglary and Handling Stolen Goods in connection with the refrigerator and one of three light fixtures belonging to Betancourt.  Martinez told the court that he was being fingered because he is Betancourt’s neighbour and that he found the items in his yard before moving them into his house. He also claimed that he intended to give back the items to his neighbour but she was away.  According to Martinez, the neighbour arrived at his house with the police on Sunday and that’s when he knew that her home had been burglarized.  Although the prosecutor had heavy objections, Magistrate John offered bail in the sum of three thousand dollars. Martinez’s next court date is set for July twentieth, 2015.