A British National is Detained in Connection with Attempted Kidnapping of Boy in Belmopan

A sixty-three-year-old British national is in custody at the Belmopan police station. It is believed that he was the perpetrator of a foiled kidnapping of an eight-year-old boy on George Price Avenue in the outskirts of Belmopan. The minor was heading home along with his two older siblings when a man described as Caucasian attempted to force him into a white van. The children fought him off and were able to escape. Quick response and acting on a tip, Belmopan police were able to apprehend a suspect and impounded a white van. Police also took possession of his computer and other equipment from his house. At this time because he has not been charged, his identity is being withheld.

Henry Jemmott

Supt. Henry Jemmott, O.C., Belmopan Police Formation

“Sometime yesterday we recorded statements from the children and also the parent that was involved in an attempt kidnapping, which occurred here in Belmopan. With the assistance of the public and rapid response from the investigators, we have the person that we think is the person, positively, I think that is the person that committed that offense. At this moment, the investigation is in its early stage, but I could tell you that it looks very positive. And rest assure the community that we will try our best to have this person remanded to the Hattieville prison because we want that the children of Belmopan are free and can move around calmly.”

Reporter

“Are you able to say if this person is a Belizean?”

Supt. Henry Jemmott

“He is a British national. He is a British national so even that we have to follow the protocol of contacting the British High Commission and liaise with them. So it will take us a little while to complete all this before laying charges.”

Reporter

“What in your investigation led to detaining this British national?”

Supt. Henry Jemmott

“Like I said, the kids gave a description of the vehicle and the male person. And from a tipster that we had, it was the same information that we had gotten regarding a tip from an individual. So we put that together and we moved on the person today and the person is in custody.”