Coast Guard Officer Accused of Stabbing Step-Daughter on the Run

Thirty-four-year- old Alberto Espinoza, a coast guard officer from Trial Farm Village, Orange Walk, allegedly stabbed his step daughter, eighteen- year- old Daxia Martinez, following a verbal altercation on Tuesday evening. Espinoza is now on the run from police. According to Captain Elton Bennett, the Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Espinoza has been absent from duty since the incident occurred.  The injuries inflicted on the teenage victim have been classified as wounding. Today, A.S.P. Fitzroy Yearwood told the press that investigators are also looking into other stabbing incidents that may be connected to officer Espinoza, as they actively seek to ascertain his whereabouts.

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department

“A young lady, Daxia Martinez, eighteen years, she is a student of Orange Walk Town, she is saying that on Wednesday, sometime after six in the evening she got into an alteration with her stepfather, Alberto Espinoza, thirty four year old Belizean Coast Guard. We know that we have issued a warrant for him. He is wanted for wounding. We have made contacts with his superior officers and we are asking the general public in trying to locate Mr. Espinoza. We know that we have other reports in connections with this same Alberto Espinoza. By all means, we will continue to look for him until either he comes and hand in himself, or we will find him, where charges will be levied against him. I know that this young lady’s injuries were classified as wounding. I know that investigators are investigation two other incidents believed to be committed by him, before this incident on Wednesday. I know that they are looking for him for some other traffic infractions. Regardless of the size of the crime, the fact remains that he is wanted and we are asking the general public assistance in trying to locate him. She is saying that he attacked her after just having words. I don’t know what the words or content of their conversation was, and he cut her in the face and some other part of the body. The thing is, no one has the right to harm you, whether it is because of words or something you would have done to them. He could have done the manly thing and walk away.”