Guatemalan Bandits Exchange Fire with Police in Arenal Village

Turning to other crimes…a shootout between Belizean law enforcement officers and four Guatemalan bandits occurred this morning in the border village of Arenal.  The men targeted a Belizean residence, holding up a family of four at gunpoint.  They stole a vehicle and an assortment of items.  Heavily armed police officers and B.D.F. soldiers responded quickly, shooting two of the bandits. Commissioner of Police Chester Williams shared more details.

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The bandits fired at the police and the police return fire. The bandits had with them one stolen vehicle that they stole during the robbery and an assorted amount of items. The police was able to recover the stolen vehicle and all the items stolen. We also believe that two of the bandits were shot by the police but it occurred so close to the border that the two who were injured were picked up by the other two and they took them over the border and went over their business. We did not purse because it is not Belize and we don’t want our offices to go over that side and they are caught by the authorities in Guatemala.  The persons who were robbed, two were injured. They are currently at the hospital receiving treatment. From my understanding one of them got burst head because he was hit in the head with a gun. The police are following up in this matter. We have contacted our counterparts in Guatemala and we are hoping that the PNC will be able to locate those persons and we get them back over to Belize.   In the Arenal area, after we had that spate of incidents we have stepped up our presence in Arenal. In the past we use to have two police, one regular and one paramilitary but now we have two paramilitary police and two B.D.F.  The police in Arenal are armed with rifles as well as short arm so we are prepared for the battle and so they responded. I must commend the officers and the B.D.F. for their bravery. Thankfully none of them were injured during the ordeal and we just have to hope that we can find those persons responsible.”