A Couple is Attacked During Armed Robbery in St. Matthew’s Village
Police were also called to Saint Mathews Village on the George Price Highway. Four armed men targeted Jacklyn’s Store in the village and stabbed its owner, Lionel Tobar and injured his wife on Saturday morning. Tobar attempted to stop the robbers, but the armed men made away with the cash from the sales. Here is News Five’s Isani Cayetano with a report.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A spate of armed robberies across the country has seen an increase in violent crimes being committed against business owners. On Saturday morning, a hardworking couple, proprietors of Jacklyn’s Store in Saint Matthew’s Village, came under attack by four armed men who inflicted multiple stab wounds and other injuries to Lionel Tobar as he attempted to ward off the robbers.
ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“Sometime around 7:30 a.m., Roaring Creek police reported to information of a robbery at Jacklyn’s Store in Saint Matthews Village whereupon arrival they met one Lionel Tobar, fifty-four-year-old business owner with apparent stab wounds. Mr. Tobar reported to police that sometime around seven a.m., whilst inside his business place, he was approached by four male persons, two of dark complexion and two of Hispanic descent, who entered the business place and demanded money. He was then beaten up, where the area was ransacked and in the process his wife came down to see what was happening and she too was assaulted by those persons.”
The family store is located on a backstreet in the village. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Myvett, the businessman tried to put up a fight with his attackers but was unable to foil the attempt.
Joseph Myvett
ACP Joseph Myvett
“After he was stabbed they then left with an undisclosed sum of money. Police are investigating this matter and we are seeking two named suspects in relation to this investigation at this time.”
Reporter
“Can you say, sir, if Mr. Tobar actually fought back [and] that’s why he was stabbed?”
ACP Joseph Myvett
“Yes. Yes. He did resist and as a result he was, he received those stab wounds.”
Tobar’s brush with grave injury was foolhardy. Despite the courage to fight back, he narrowly missed being fatally stabbed. In the wake of the incident, police took time to remind business owners that their physical wellbeing and that of their customers is important, particularly during a hostile situation such as the incident that unfolded here on Saturday morning.
ACP Joseph Myvett
“When persons are armed with weapons, it is advisable that you do not resist in order that you are not hurt. Try to reach the police as quickly as possible in order for us to be able to detain those persons involved. Even if it is that they would have fobbed you and left, police will still conduct an investigation into the matter, especially in cases where there is some surveillance cameras within the area which can assist us, as well as other witnesses.”
Investigators are in the process of determining whether there is a nexus between the Saint Matthew’s robbery and others that occurred in Cayo District, including Belmopan, over the weekend. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
