1 Charged for Near Fatal Chopping in Scotland Halfmoon

Florentino Ruiz

A resident of Antelope Street Extension has been charged in connection with a near fatal chopping incident in Scotland Halfmoon on Saturday afternoon. Just before four o’clock today, Roberto Arana was reportedly attacked by a group of men and brutally chopped multiple times to the head and body. He remains hospitalised at this time in a critical condition. Today, police formally arrested and charged thirty-three-year-old Florentino Ruiz, for the crimes of Attempted Murder, use of Deadly Means of Harm and Taking Conveyance without Lawful Authority. This morning, during the weekly police press brief, Communications Director of the Belize Police Department, ASP Fitzroy Yearwood shared details of the incident.

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood, Communications Director, Belize Police Department

“Roberto Arana received chopped injuries to the face, body and I think even lost two fingers in that incident where the assailants made good their escaped in his black pickup truck. We have since detained three persons in connection with this chopping incident. We recovered the stolen vehicle, but Mister Arana is still in a critical condition in the K.H.M.H.  Hopefully, we will have enough to charge these persons very soon, but I know that these persons were identified as the persons responsible for Mister Arana’s injuries.”

Fitzroy Yearwood

Reporter

“Any insight into the incident and what caused the escalation to actual injuries?”

ASP Fitzroy Yearwood

“Well from investigators, they are saying that Mister Arana was involved in an argument with one of these assailants and when it escalated, they drew for their machetes. I must also say that these persons are from Belize City, believed to be members of the MS13 gang and these persons made good their escape and were captured. One of them was captured not too long after the incident, like within ten minutes and of course the other two were captured here in Belize City in the Krooman Lagoon area.”