Police Were Monitoring South American Nationals and Have Evidence
Police say that they are in possession of sufficient evidence to have brought charges against the South American trio. According to police, at least one of the men has visited Belize several times prior to them being arrested and they have been following the activities of the men since last year before making arrests last Thursday. Espinosa, Vargas and Marroquin were travelling across the country in vehicles with Mexican licensed plates. Also recovered from an ATM was a skimmer, used to read and record the magnetic code from a credit card for later fraudulent use. Last Friday, police said they also found blank credit cards. Today, during its weekly press briefing, ACP Joseph Myvett and ASP Alejandro Cowo spoke on the incident.
Joseph Myvett
ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“The police department have dealt with several of these cases before in relation to different banks where experts have been brought in to testify so I do not believe that that is going to be an issue. In respect to the charges, the evidence gathered; there was consultation with the office of the Director of Public Prosecution before the charge was levied.”
Duane Moody
“Who was the mastermind behind this operation?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“I will not go into details as to who other than to say that all three persons have been arrested and charged for the same offense.”
Reporter
“In this particular case where it was that a certain bank’s name was called, is the police department investigating the angle that these individuals may have scammed other ATMs from other banks in Belize?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Yes we have.”
Reporter
“Sir, in the last briefing, did you say how you all found out about it? Did a customer alert the bank and the bank called you all? How did you all find out about this?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“As I had said over the last briefing, this has been an ongoing investigation from since last year.”
Duane Moody
“Were they able to get away with any sum of money?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“At this point in time we do not know yet because it will be dependent on those victims who would then go…the bank itself won’t know until victims check their accounts and say this is missing.”
Alejandro Cowo
ASP Alejandro Cowo, O.C., C.I.B., Belize City
“The report made by Scotia Bank Belama branch, which occurred on Wednesday where a skimming machine was removed from the ATM machine. On Saturday, police arrested and charged one Alfonso Espinosa Saaveria, thirty-five years Chilean national for the crime of preparation for a crime.”
Duane Moody
“Sir this is separate from the one in Dangriga?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo.
“Yes this is another separate incident; this is just related to the one at Belama branch.”
Reporter
“Was this through video you were able to identify the suspect?”
ASP Alejandro Cowo
“That’s part of our investigation.”
