Two Guards Wounded by Thieves at the Michael Finnegan Market
Two security guards who are employed by the Belize City Council are recuperating from injuries they suffered when three thieves pounced on them. The incident happened overnight on Thursday, while the guards kept watch at the Michael Finnegan Market on East Collet Canal. The thieves broke into two stalls, including National Treats, by breaking in the door and stealing cash and a phone charger. Next, the bandits invaded another nearby stall operated by Carolina Aguilar, whose surveillance camera shows one of the thieves wearing a hoodie. Aguilar says she and other vendors have been asking for armed security for quite some time. Councilor Javier Castellanos, responsible for markets, said something like this has never happened before.
Voice of: Carolina Aguilar, Stall broken into at Michael Finnegan Market
“They stole some coins and a bag of money that we had there that I forgot the, the day before. Okay. And a lot, well, a value, everything probably was $900.”
Marion Ali
“Was this the first time that this happened?
Voice of: Carolina Aguilar
“Yes, this was the first time.”
Marion Ali
“Do you know in terms of the security guards, where were they?”
Voice of: Carolina Aguilar
“I’m not sure. But they got hurt. They got very, very hurt. One of them got a broken hand, or I think it was his wrist, and the other one was beat, both of them were beaten very badly.”
Marion Ali
“So the burglars attacked them?”
Voice of: Carolina Aguilar
“Attacked them, yes, and they also one of them had two broken fingers up to now one of them have to get surgery. The only camera we had was inside. We only got the person pushing his foot or his hand. Hopefully, with this situation here, we can get more security. And better vigilant because it’s very sad they didn’t have any gun or anything. So it’s very hard, you know, we expect, hopefully, they can get something done, especially if the lives of those security guys.”
Javier Castellanos
Javier Castellanos, Belize City Councilor
“This incident of this magnitude was the first time here. We had other little incidents. We had other incidents, but not to this level here where, bodily injuries – someone got badly injured. No. So, up to now, we are checking on everything where we have , but I think the level of security we have here, we had the market is fence properly, fence to the back is wired. We have also wired on top of the fence. So it is properly and it’s properly secured, now with a security system. I’m prepared to work along with our entities now, especially with the police department, trying to see how we could listen and be able to have those patrols over here also. So, to begin in coordination with our security now because we have the, the ranger and we have the special accountable during the day.”
