2 suspects and gun detained in police offensive
Police were once again on the offensive today following a serious eruption of armed robberies and assaults in Belize City. This morning I was on the scene as officers collared two men and a weapon they believe figure prominently in the recent crime wave.
Two more suspects in the recent robberies against Chinese establishments were picked up by police, who continue to search specific homes for weapons they believe was used in recent crimes. This morning, as part of an ongoing operation, the police pulled up at the corner of Central American Boulevard and Rasta Street. Inside the house were Roque Rosado and William “The Cat” Usher. Both men are wanted for questioning in recent hold ups of Chinese stores in the area.
Crispin Jeffries, O.C Eastern Division
“It’s a continuation of the operation we launched yesterday. We believe there is a number of firearms and robberies that are occurring which involved quite a limited amount of people. The persons we picked up this morning are suspected in some of those robberies.”
Inside the house, the police found a loaded thirty-eight revolver. The gun’s serial number looked as if it had recently been filed off.
Crispin Jeffries
“We found the point three-eight revolver in this building. We suspect that this firearm was being used in the robberies and the persons suspected were found here.”
Jacqueline Woods
Rosado and Usher do not live at the house, but were only camping out here temporarily. They were under surveillance and it was only a matter of time before the police would have them in custody.
Crispin Jeffries
“In fact they were trailed here some time ago and we wanted them to settle in before we captured them.”
Jacqueline Woods
“Will they be charge with any crime?”
Crispin Jeffries
“They will be charged with this crime and they are subjects of other investigations.”
The police say they have stepped up their efforts to address crime in the city and make it a safer place in which to live.
In related news the opposition United Democratic Party has issued a release condemning the government’s handling of the crime problem and urging officials to draft a comprehensive plan of action to deal with law enforcement as well as the root socioeconomic causes of crime. At the same time word from Cabinet is that new police booths will be erected in high crime areas of Belize City and a new amnesty for illegal guns will soon be announced.
