Cop robbed of gun, radio, money

Early this morning robbers targeted a policeman while on duty at the Belize City House of Culture. Around two-thirty, twenty-two year old police constable Maximiliano Lanza was manning his post at the historic site when two masked men pulled a gun on him, tied him up, and made off with four Motorola radios, a loaded police-issued thirty-eight revolver, and Lanza’s wallet containing money and personal documents. This afternoon Superintendent Aaron Guzman offered details.

Supt. Aaron Guzman, O.C., Crimes Investigations Branch
“It’s a fresh case. We are following through with that investigation. We have recovered four radios that were stolen.”

Marion Ali
“How? What led to this?”

Superintendent Aaron Guzman
“Good neighbours made certain discoveries and pointed out certain things to the police and as a result the radios were recovered.”

Marion Ali
“The booth that is at the House of Culture is not exactly at the entrance, it’s a way in. How could this policeman not have seen these men coming? In other words, was he asleep or distracted by somebody?”

Superintendent Aaron Guzman
“You have to take into consideration that the House of Culture is a public place. Although the booth is not right on the fence line, I’d say it’s just about eight to ten feet inside. For easy access, we’d normally have a portion of the gate left open because patrolling officers can swing by there and go in and check with the officer. So I wouldn’t dare say the officer was sleeping.”

Marion Ali
“Do you have any leads into this incident?”

Superintendent Aaron Guzman
“I won’t make any comment on that right now.”