Accused Murderer Wanted in Belize Caught in Guatemala

Sergio Pineda

A fugitive wanted by the Belize Police Department was caught by authorities in Guatemala this morning. Twenty-one-year-old Sergio Pineda was arrested by Guatemalan police following an armed attack in Río Dulce, Livingston, during which a person died. Guatemalan police retrieved two firearms and a motorcycle from the scene. Pineda had escaped from police custody in Benque Viejo del Carmen earlier this month. Pineda was with twenty-five-year-old Piers Castillo in a holding area near the magistrate court when they managed to escape.  Police Commissioner Chester Williams described the escape as “sad”, saying that Pineda was wanted for several cross-border incidents. Back in June, the men were handed over to Belizean authorities by Guatemalan officials for two murders. They stand accused of the fatal shooting of Gonzalo Rosado in March in San Jose Succotz Village and the fatal shooting of Wayne Cadle in May in Benque Viejo del Carmen. An investigation into possible police negligence in the duo’s escape is underway.