Bandits spread fear in Stann Ck. Valley

It may not be the kind of news the Tourism Board wants to hear, let alone publicize, but it appears that a well-armed gang is spreading fear along what has always been considered one of Belize’s favourite areas for visitors. New 5’s Jacqueline Woods has more.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
The Stann Creek Valley is one of the most picturesque and tranquil locations in Belize, but two months ago a series of attacks along the scenic route have left visitors and residents of the area feeling less than safe. On December twenty-second a third assault–like the previous incidents, unreported to the press–has heightened the level of fear.

Pete Dekens, Victim of Hold-up
?I would say that night that it happened, I felt like I didn?t want to stay any longer as I had experienced enough already and didn?t feel comfortable being here anymore and thought that I would go but after a day or so. I kind a thought well, we are here for a holiday and we?ll make it a holiday and carry on with it but life has not been the same since.?

Canadian nationals Pete and Nellie Dekens had been in the country for only two days when they were held up by three armed masked men. On December twenty-second, the Dekens decided to go and visit their Canadian friends who had settled in Belize on a farm near Middlesex Village. But the reunion quickly turned to horror when they were confronted by three Hispanic men threatening to shoot them with M-16 assault rifles.

Pete Dekens
?We were there for fifteen minutes or so when the one fellow I know and myself were accosted by three men with machine guns and demanded money and so on and so forth and after for some twenty minutes they made us march to the house where the wives were and demanded more money and jewellery etc and after about fifteen or twenty minutes of that, there was a bit of a situation arose where the dog got involved and they shot at the dog. Soon after that they decided to make their way fearing that people would hear the sound of the gun.?

Jacqueline Woods
?How did these guys look??

Pete Dekens
?They were all in camouflage. Two in camouflage, they were all mask and one was in all black with mask. They were just all average built and one of them was sort of a bigger person but they were all in camouflage or fatigues.?

The hold up follows two previous incidents that occurred between miles nineteen and twenty-four on the Stann Creek Valley Road. On November twenty-seventh, an American couple travelling through the area came under attack after they sped away from two armed men dressed in camouflage gear and armed with rifles opened fire. Though the pickup?s tailgates, spare tyre and back seat were punctured by bullets, the couple managed to escape and got help from area residents. News 5 also understands that an English couple, who were living in the Hummingbird Community, were also held up under similar circumstances. As a result that couple has since relocated and put their house up for sale.

Pete Dekens
?Well I think a lot of the people that this happened to have picked up roots and moved to a different area because of the fear of what ahs happened to them and I can understand that feeling. I do not know what the answer is but it?s certainly that certain people are being targeted, no doubt about that.?

Nellie Dekens, Victim of Hold-up
?It seems like every time you walk or go outside at night you are looking in fear. You are thinking if they?re hiding there and that is kind of what?s happening to me at times. I am not sure if they are just going to come over there across the hill or stop us when we are in our vehicle along the road. So I would feel a lot better if they were caught.?

Dangriga police say they suspect the bandits are from the neighbouring communities and have been questioning a number of persons but so far they have no suspects.

Nellie Dekens
?I know my friend, she is very afraid right now. She?s got her two little babies that she really worries about. Well she?s a mother and she worries about her two little ones. For the police to come from so far a lot can happen before the police can get here. There is also no phone lines here. That?s one thing I hope that they get here soon so that people can at least even phone when something happens.?

Pete Dekens
?It takes at least two hours to get a response because of the no phone. I think we are always just looking and waiting to see that someone has been apprehended or that they have the right three people and that that situation would be resolved because where it happened have always been a peaceful and tranquil place and its really been a little annoying that it could happen anywhere especially here.?

Jacqueline Woods for News 5.

Again, none of the incidents mentioned in tonight’s story were reported locally by the police press office.