Attempted Murder in Corozal
Benigno Loria
We begin tonight’s newscast with a brazen shooting incident in the north during which the victim fortunately escaped grave injury and is now hospitalized. In San Andres Village, Corozal District, an attempt was made on the life of Benigno Loria, a well-known figure in the area. He was at his residence when he was struck multiple times by a gunman who took aim at him. Police have since launched an investigation to determine the motive for the crime. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
Just after news time on Wednesday evening, shots rang out in San Andres Village in Corozal District. Residents say that the echoes of about eight to ten shots reverberated in the village, as a brazen attempt was made on the life of twenty-seven-year-old Benigno Loria. Loria was standing inside his garage at his residence in the village when a gunman ran into the yard and opened fire on him. Several bullets made their mark on Loria, despite attempts to flee from his attacker.
Shortly after the barrage of shots was fired, police arrived on the scene; by then, Loria had already been transported to the Corozal Community Hospital for treatment. He was later rushed to Belize City, where tonight he remains in a stable condition at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
While an investigation is underway to determine who the gunman was and the motive behind the attempted murder, Loria is no stranger to the law. In fact, back in 2014, he was one of four persons charged in connection with a daring robbery on the parking lot of the Fabrica de Mayoreo inside the Corozal Free Zone. During the crime, two men escaped with one point two five million pesos, which comes out to approximately two hundred and eight thousand Belize dollars. Then twenty-one years old, Loria was charged with the crime of Conspiracy to Commit Robbery.
On the Phone: ASP Daniel Arzu, Deputy O.C., Corozal Police [File: February 28th, 2014]
“Two persons have been charged for conspiracy to robbery. We are proceeding into an identification parade shortly and we are hoping to charge two others for the robbery.”
Duane Moody
“These two persons have they been taken to court as yet?”
Via Phone: ASP Daniel Arzu
“Yes, those have been taken the court; the ones for the conspiracy to robbery. And the others, we have two more in our custody pending charges.”
Duane Moody
“Sir, could you tell us about the investigation without of course trying the case…tell us about the investigation and how it led to the detention of these persons.”
Via Phone: ASP Daniel Arzu
“I wouldn’t want to divulge too much as to the manner as to what led to that. The reality is that our investigation led to that.”
Duane Moody
“These persons are all from Corozal?”
Via Phone: ASP Daniel Arzu
“Yes.”
Duane Moody
“Do you know when these persons are expected to be charged for robbery?”
Via Phone: ASP Daniel Arzu
“Shortly.”
Duane Moody for News Five.
