Police launch a manhunt for escaped murder suspect

Sinquest Martinez

Belmopan Police say that they are closing in on twenty-nine year old Edwin Paula, an inmate at the Belize Central Prison who escaped while being transported to Belmopan for a court appearance. Paula and three students from the Belmopan Comprehensive School were accused of an array of charges including murder and attempted murder for the brazen University of Belize and La Choza bar robberies in Belmopan. But on February third, while the prison van carrying the four men stopped at a speed-bump, Paula just jumped out and escaped. Since then he’s been on the run, with Police close behind.

Sinquest Martinez, O.C., Belmopan Police Formation

“We are still working on some intelligence pertaining to Edwin Paula. We are working with either people that have seen him and that are coming around to give us information. We are on a manhunt. We are doing an internal investigation into the matter pertaining the officers of how Edwin Paula escaped.”

Mike Rudon

“Since you brought it up, could you give us an idea…because according to the release, he just jumped out of the van. I know it is internal, but could you tell us a little bit about what happened, the circumstances leading up to that?”

Sinquest Martinez

“He managed to lose himself from the handcuff and shackles after which when the van slowed down at the pedestrian crossing that’s when he took the opportunity to open the door and left.”

Mike Rudon

“And he left alone. None of the other persons attempted to escape?”

Sinquest Martinez

“No one else.”

Mike Rudon

“Could you tell us if police firmly believe that he is still in the area of Belmopan?”

Sinquest Martinez

“Well I don’t want to go much in depth with that if he is here or around here, but we are working closely with other police officers within our friends here in Belmopan that usually assists us in these kind of investigation and trust me, pretty soon you will see him back in custody.”

What seems like an easy escape for the remanded Paula is indeed puzzling for Police, since all prisoners being transported are usually securely shackled and under armed guard.