Home invasion suspects caught red handed by Ladyville police

A chilling home invasion in the Ladyville area was reported last Friday night. And soon enough police recovered the stolen items and had in their custody, three accused men. No one was injured, but the victims were traumatized by the incident. News Five’s Jose Sanchez has a detailed report of the crime.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

A home invasion in the Lakeview Area of Ladyville after seven pm on Friday night, has shaken up the Brown and Williamson families.  Carmelita Brown, a Belizean American, returned to the jewel six months ago. She had just driven to the home of her sister Judith Williamson and was about to close the gate when she was attacked by a man wielding a knife.

Carmelita Brown, Victim of Home Invasion

Carmelita Brown

“I was getting ready to push the gate and to go in and I heard noise in the bush. When I looked up there were two guys and one just came at me with a knife towards my head. I grabbed his hand and tried to fight him off and he said to shut up.  I don’t even know what happened. The other person went after my niece at the door when she was trying to get my mom to open the door. He pulled me in and told me to lay on my face and that’s what I did. I saw my poor mom down on the floor as if she would have a heart attack; just upset. So I laid on the floor and I just could hear the commotion everywhere “where’s the money? Where’s the money?”. My little niece, who had the gun at her head was saying this is my school bag, I don’t have any money in there. They’re yelling where’s the money. She said maybe my mom has some. I yelled give them what they want  just don’t hurt me and my family okay.”

While Carmelita, along with her mother and niece were being pressured to hand over their valuables, Judith was in the bedroom with her two sons. She heard screams and when she saw the gunmen, she bolted back into the room and got her cell phone.

Carmelita Brown

“She needed to do something. So she grabbed the phone and the only thing she could remember was to call her nephew C.J. so she called him and he called the police. So the guy then realized what was going on and started kicking the door in. They said if you don’t open it up, we’re gonna break it in. And I don’t know what happened but the door was opened. He saw my sister and started fighting her for the phone and asked who did you call. She said nobody, nobody. Next thing the guy said they already called the police, let’s go. They dashed for the door but one of them turned back and said give me the key for the vehicle.”

The robbers drove in Brown’s Toyota Avalon, but swift action by the police department foiled the escape.

Dirk Dyer

Sergeant Dirk Dyer, Deputy in Charge of Ladyville Police Formation

“Somewhere around seven-forty-five Friday night, the Police along with the People’s Coalition of Ladyville we arrived at their location and dealt with the matter. From what we gathered it was three persons with firearm and knives and basically we believe there was a fourth person, who actually was a part of the set up.”

Jose Sanchez

“Were you able to identify the culprits?”

Sgt. Dirk Dyer

“So far, we have charged three persons; one with conspiracy and two with actually committing the crime. A fourth suspect is at the station pending the investigation likewise.”

According to Dyer, the thieves escaped with items valuing over twelve thousand seven hundred and fifty-one dollars and the department has recovered an assortment of jewelry, cell phones, digital cameras, and cash in U.S. and Belize dollars; in addition to a pistol that may have been used in the crime.

Sgt. Dirk Dyer

“Approximately fifteen minutes after the incident, police recovered ninety percent of the items stolen including the firearm which was apparently used in the crime.”

Jose Sanchez

“Were any of the suspects charged in any major crimes before?”

Sgt. Dirk Dyer

“We believe one or two of them were previously charged. However, the main suspect comes from Belize City.”

This morning in Magistrate’s court, the police charged Belize City resident, thirty-three year old Wilton Usher and Ladyville resident, twenty-one year old Jaime Chavarria for Aggravated Burglary, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Burglary, Keeping Firearm and Ammunition Without a Gun License and Handling Stolen Goods.  And thirty seven year old Eric Lewis Savery of Ladyville Village was charged for the crime of Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Burglary.

Jose Sanchez

“They’ve been up on charges before. Do you think these charges will stick?”

Sgt. Dirk Dyer

“We think we have sufficient evidence to take to court and then the court will have to decide.”

Jose Sanchez

“There were other home invasions in Ladyville before. Are you looking into the possibility that any of them might be involved in previous crimes?”

Sgt. Dirk Dyer

“Yes, we are. Presently, the previous on the Northern Highway, mile nine and a half, we’re seeing if we could basically pinpoint more or less if these persons were actually responsible for that home invasion likewise.”

Jose Sanchez

“What items did you find on the individuals?”

Sgt. Dirk Dyer

“We found several items including cell phones, jewelry, cash and they were actually identified as those stolen from the property.”

Jose Sanchez

The police say that with the aid of the community they were able to apprehend them. How do you feel about the police work so far?

Carmelita Brown

“I was impressed. I mean when I first got to Belize I heard a lot of rumors about how the authorities work here but what we saw on Friday night, I was very impressed with the way they came and how quickly they grabbed one of the guys and just the whole community was out here working. So I was impressed with what happened on Friday night.”

Jose Sanchez

“Were you injured?”

Carmelita Brown

“Yes I was. I had a scratch on my arm and a bruise here. I don’t know if I got hit because it was swollen on Friday so something hit me here. And I got scratches; I don’t know if it’s from the knife or the three I was pushed into.”

A reason that the culprits may have targeted that house was because there are no street lights at the end of Lakeview Garden.  The incident has prompted the family to hire armed security with a guard dog for protection even during the day. Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.

The three bandits were found at the junction of Lords Bank Road and the Northern Highway.   Jamie Chavarria was found with a silver Samsung cell phone which belonged to Carmelita Brown.  Wilton Usher was found with a Toshiba laptop and a Guess handbag. Usher was also charged with the aggravated assault of a fourteen year old minor.