1 burglar dead, 2 on the run as police foil heist

An intensive police search continues tonight for two suspects involved in an ill-fated robbery attempt this morning in Belmopan. Reports are that around 4:30 a.m., residents of Sinsonte Avenue noticed five men breaking into the offices of St. John’s Credit Union through a window. The police were called to the scene and they arrived while the burglars were still in the offices. But instead of turning themselves in, the crooks opened fire on the cops. The shootout lasted only a few minutes, but when it was over, one robber lay dead on the floor from a bullet wound to the head and two of his accomplices were in police custody. However, two others managed to escape in the confusion. Police have not released descriptions of these two men, but believe they are Ladyville residents. The man shot in the incident was taken to the Belmopan hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. He has since been identified as Dean Augustus, a resident of Hattieville. No official information has been released on the two detainees but police sources tell News 5 that one is from Hattieville and the other from Belize City. Up to newstime tonight, no charges had been filed against them. According to officials at the credit union, their security practices do not include a guard overnight because they do not store large amounts of cash in the building. Their offices were ransacked during the incident, but nothing was taken and the credit union was open for business this afternoon.