Busted! A new breed of Mennonite gangsters?
They are the one ingredient in the Belizean melting pot known for hard work, devotion to God and a passion for non-violence. While that myth about Belize’s Mennonite community may have been true once upon a time, a major bust today in the Cayo District has demonstrated that crime is an equal opportunity employer. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods reports from San Ignacio.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
An early morning raid at a house in the seemingly peaceful Mennonite community of Lower Barton Creek has left police rethinking their ethnic stereotypes. Around 5:30 this morning San Ignacio police entered and searched the home of forty-five year old Cornelio Marten.
Supt. Gilroy Nicholas, O.I.C, San Ignacio Police
“We found in his bedroom, hanging over his bed, a A-K rifle loaded with ammunition. And inside the said room, there was some four hundred rounds of point twenty-two ammunition, there was a point three-eight revolver and a shotgun. There were some military type uniform, ski masks, handcuffs.”
Six persons including a minor who were present at the time of the search have been arrested. This afternoon, Cornelio Marten, the suspected ringleader, Jake Dueck Marten, Maria Marten, Judith Marten and a twelve year old girl have been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, keeping a military uniform and going equipped with the purpose of committing crime.
Jacqueline Woods
“Have these items been linked to a crime? Why do you believe Mr. Marten had them?”
Supt. Gilroy Nicholas
“Well I really wouldn’t like to comment on it, because there are three investigation which is well underway in respect to things of this nature. So I really wouldn’t really like to comment on that at this time.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What surprised you about what was collected from Mr. Marten’s house?”
Supt. Gilroy Nicholas
“It very much surprised me and it leads me now to follow my investigation much more closely. I have tasked two men, who will vigorously pursue this investigation.”
News 5 understands that the typewriter seized has been linked to another incident presently under investigation and that is what led the police to the Marten’s house. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.
In related news from Cayo, a notorious criminal has escaped from the lock-up at the San Ignacio Police Station. Twenty-four year old Jordy Espat, awaiting trial on a burglary and stolen property charge, picked the lock of his cell and escaped on Monday. Espat, who was also serving a three year sentence at Hattieville for a prohibited firearm, was charged with the brutal 2000 murder of Geoffrey Mas at Cahal Pech, but was acquitted for lack of evidence.
