A Home Invasion at Marconi Leal’s Home in Sand Hill
There was a dangerous home invasion in Sand Hill Village, in the Belize Rural North division, on Tuesday night. In the hurly burly of politics, speculation is rampant about who is responsible. The frightening incident occurred at the home of P.U.P. standard bearer, Marconi Leal, who was not home. His wife, daughter and daughter-in-law were bound by a trio of men and placed in a bedroom on the lower flat of the building. When Leal arrived at his house, the intruders fled in a vehicle. They did not get far since the vehicle crashed into a fence and a number of stolen items were recovered. News Five’s Isani Cayetano has the following report.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
The home of Belize Rural North PUP Standard Bearer Marconi Leal was targeted by a trio of thieves on Tuesday night while he was away attending a meeting with constituents in Sand Hill Village. The aggravated burglary happened around nine o’clock and was carried out by persons who reportedly fled the scene in separate vehicles. By the time Leal arrived at his residence upon learning of the home invasion, the thieves had already made good their escape.
Marconi Leal
Marconi Leal, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Belize Rural North
“A little bit after nine o’clock, I came home just to find out that my house was invaded upon. My wife was at home, along with my daughter and my daughter-in-law who just recently had a baby about six days ago. I found them crying and all frightened, telling me that three guys came into the house with guns, demanding money, you know, and she told me that she told the guys that we don’t have any money. They put a knife at her throat, telling her, “we’ll slit your throat if you don’t tell us where the money is at.”
The incident unfolded when Leal’s daughter-in-law saw a shadow at the door which was slightly ajar. When she got up to inquire who was standing there, the men barged in wielding a firearm. Pointing it at her, the young lady, along with her in-laws, was dragged into a bedroom on the lower flat of the building where they were tied up.
Marconi Leal
“When they didn’t find the money that they thought they would have found in the house then they decided to take what they could have taken. They took my fifty-five inch TV, along with a karaoke machine, two laptops and three cell phones. But we got back some of the stuff because the car, after the car took off from the house it went about a mile and slid off the road because it was raining, but we got back some of the stuff. Praise God that my family is safe. Luckily I was not at home because it could have gone worse, you know. I’m happy that we’re all alive now and we’re good.”
When the vehicle, described as a blue Chrysler 200, failed to round the curve, it crashed into a nearby fence before coming to rest on the side of the road. Several of the items taking during the attack were recovered at the scene and the vehicle was subsequently impounded by Ladyville police. Leal is contesting the seat for Belize Rural North in the upcoming general elections. Could it be that he was the intended target of the attack?
Isani Cayetano
“Do you believe, Mr. Leal, that this was a deliberate attack on your family?”
Marconi Leal
“Well I don’t want to skepticize about things like that, but I don’t know. I’m just happy that we are alive and we are here, we’re strong.”
Isani Cayetano
“Do you believe that maybe the intruders were looking for you, as opposed to just breaking into your house and taking your family hostage in the manner that they did?”
Marconi Leal
“Yes, I think so. I was the [intended target]. I think they were waiting for me but I took long so they decided to go in and get what they could have gotten. But, you know, I am happy that we are here.”
Isani Cayetano
“Now I understand that you were over in Sand Hill proper, at a party meeting, some last-minute preparations that you guys were taking care of.”
Marconi Leal
“Yeah, we were doing some political finesse, we were doing things pertaining to politics and that’s why I wasn’t here.”
Isani Cayetano
“Now I gather that the vehicle has been impounded and the police are doing their investigation.”
Marconi Leal
“Yes, the police took away the car and I understand that they’ve already caught one of them. So it’s in their hands now.”
Isani Cayetano
“What does this mean for your safety and the safety of your family?”
Marconi Leal
“Well we would have to be more careful, more alert, you know, better security.”
During the burglary, Leal’s wife was physically assaulted with a firearm. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
