Tourists Robbed at El Pilar Archaeological Site by Alleged Guatemalan Bandits

Four American and Canadian tourists were robbed at gunpoint of their belongings and money at the El Pilar Archaeological Site in Cayo. The Maya monument is located about seven miles southwest of Bullet Tree Village.  Just after midday on Sunday, San Ignacio police were called out to the site where alleged Guatemalan bandits had attacked the tourists and their tour guide. While an undisclosed amount of money was stolen from all five persons, the Hispanic duo, who carried a shotgun and a firearm, escaped towards the border with Guatemala. Police say that they are investigating the incident.

Joseph Myvett

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“Teddy Waight, thirty-nine years tour guide who at the time was accompanied by four tourists, two Americans and two Canadians. He reported to the police that sometime during the course of doing his tour, he then visited a shed on the compound of the archaeological site where two Hispanic males were seen sitting. As a result, they were approached by these two Hispanic males—one of whom was armed with what appears to be a shotgun while the other was armed with a handgun. Those persons demanded money and as a result the tourists were robbed on monies and other personal belongings. Thereafter the two Hispanic male persons then made good their escape in a trail that leads towards the Belize Guatemalan border. There had always been security in that area. A joint police/B.D.F. composite patrol had always been within that vicinity on patrol.”

Reporter

“Is it believed that the perpetrators of this particular crime are from across the border in Guatemala?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“I will not venture to say that other than to say that that is the direction that they left.”