Tanya Carter Robbed; Accused Teens Rounded Up

Tanya Carter

Well-known Belizean artist, Tanya Carter, was robbed by a group of four men, one who also threatened her life. The artist declined on-camera interviews since she was shaken up by the ordeal, but posted on social media that she is well. On Monday, robbers took her bag and then fled, but did not get far because their getaway vehicle ran out of gas and police were able to nab three of them. Today, the trio appeared today before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza, who was moved by Carter’s ordeal. The trio includes two minors, ages sixteen and seventeen along with nineteen-year old Darwin Monroy; they all pleaded guilty to the charge of robbery. Magistrate Mendoza asked them individually what made them commit the offense against Carter. Monroy told the court that it was his first offense and he needed money to buy gas.  The sixteen-year-old said he did not do anything and was just along with the group.  When asked why he took a guilty plea, his response was because he was there.  The seventeen-year-old said they needed money for gas since Monroy’s car had broken down.  Disturbed with their actions, Magistrate Mendoza remanded the trio into custody and deferred sentencing for June ninth, 2017.

Darwin Monroy

Carter was robbed on Monday, at about seven-thirty when she was along with a female friend walking on Saint Thomas Street heading towards Pandora Café. While crossing the intersection, of Saint Thomas Street and Heusner Crescent, she was ambushed.  She told police that one of the men demanded that she hand over her bag or she would be shot. She said that when he appeared to be reaching for a firearm, in fear for her life, she handed over her bag. It contained cash, her passport, credit card, social security card, house keys, cell phone and other personal items.