Robbers hit top city hotel

Fortunately, no one was hurt in an incident that occurred twenty-four hours later in Belize City, but the armed robbery had all the ingredients for disaster.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

The management of the Radisson Fort George Hotel say at this time they are not willing to give us an on camera interview about the incident. But what we do know so far is that around two-thirty Sunday morning, three masked armed men entered the building and held up the front desk receptionist.

The hotel’s manager, Maria Otero, says they are still trying to find out exactly how much money was stolen, but she did confirm reports that it was a sizeable amount. However, she says it was mostly cheques that were taken and she is thankful that none of her staff was hurt in the incident. It is still not clear how the robbers were able to get into the main lobby totally undetected by the security guard.

G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer

“As we understand though, the security guards do other functions and because they are in their uniform, perpetrators of crime are able to watch them and see when they move from one area to the next.”

Jacqueline Woods

“Do you know how the me gained access into the hotel?”

G. Michael Reid

“We understand that one of three entrances that were used is one that comes in from the front entrance, one from the side and one by the pool. As far as we understand, they entered from the poolside.”

News 5 understands that at the time of the hold-up and robbery, the hotel’s security camera was on and the tape is now in police possession. Police Press Officer G. Michael Reid says the authorities are now examining the tape to see what the camera was able to capture.

G. Michael Reid

“What happened is that the entire incident was caught on tape and we are now reviewing the tape and going over it with a fine tooth comb. And we believe that sooner or later the case will be cracked.”

So far, however, the police have not identified any suspects. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.