Kidnappers thwarted in 2nd snatch attempt

If Sunday’s kidnapping and subsequent arrests were all there was to the bizarre incident it would still be a big story. But believe it or not, there’s more. Apparently, whoever wanted information from Juan Mendoza, wanted it so badly that on Tuesday they tried to kidnap him a second time. Jacqueline Woods has more.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

When we visited the home of fifty-year-old Juan Mendoza we were told by neighbours that the family has since moved because they are fearful for their lives.

Police strongly suspect that Mendoza became a target due to information he may have about a large quantity of drugs that was allegedly found in the vicinity of Swallow Caye.

G. Michael Reid, Police Press Officer

“This has been confirmed by the first guy who was involved in this incident, is that there were some drugs involved and that in fact they had found some drugs or had some kind of dealings with drugs. This is indeed the bottom line behind all of this.”

Two days after police rescued Galindo Perez and Juan Mendoza from their kidnappers, on Tuesday morning, authorities once again were in hot pursuit after receiving word that for a second time–Mendoza had been forcibly abducted and was on a boat heading out to sea.

G. Michael Reid

“He was approached according to him by two guys who were quite physical actually causing some bruises to his body and a bust in his head. And they were trying to take him out to sea obviously in a boat, but the police were on to this intercepted the boat at the Swing Bridge. There was an exchange of fire nobody was hit.”

Reports are that the abductors then turned the boat around and started heading towards the Bel-China Bridge. But as the vessel approached the Northern Fishermen compound, Mendoza was thrown from the boat and into the water. Mendoza managed to swim safely to shore. And his kidnappers? They abandoned the boat by the Belize Estate yard and got away. Police have since recovered the vessel.

G. Michael Reid

“The police are looking at every possible way that

we can deal with this and prevent further occurrences of this type.”

Jacqueline Woods

“Has anybody been detained?

G. Michael Reid

“No, we are looking for two people and I happen to know that one of the person we were looking for, this morning turned himself into the police. He came along with his attorney, so we are definitely investigating this matter.”

Jacqueline Woods Reporting for News 5.

As for the five men charged this morning, all have been remanded to Hattieville Prison pending trial.