America’s Most Wanted filming episode in Belize

You can run but you can’t hide, that’s what happened to convicted child molester, Robert, Synder, who is awaiting sentencing in the state of Colorado. Snyder was caught in Belize following a tip from a schoolgirl, who identified him as she watched the US television show, America’s Most Wanted. His capture prompted the visit of AMW host, John Walsh who has been here since Monday filming an episode of the show. Walsh told News Five that he has a personal stake in the show.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

America’s Most Wanted, the U.S. television show that has resulted in the capture of over one thousand, fifty fugitives, and the safe return of over fifty missing children is in Belize.  The host of the show and crew were at the Raccoon Street Police Station on Tuesday filming an episode about the latest child predator, Robert Snyder who was caught in Belize.

John Walsh, Host, America’s Most Wanted

“I’m here to celebrate a great capture. I’ve been looking for a convicted child molester named Robert Snyder for years. He fled from the United States. He was a chess teacher and he molested several boys and he fled the United States and we found out that he came here to Belize.”

Robert Snyder

While in Belize, Snyder tried to form a link with the Belize Amateur Chess Association. But they quickly rejected him because they couldn’t verify his status because he was going by an alias.

David Martinez, President, Belize District Chess Assn. (December 7th, 2009)

“When he came he seemed a little kind of suspicious because he didn’t want any media exposure. He told me that he had actually an ex-wife that was after him, that’s why he didn’t want any media exposure. So we discussed it within the association and we found something very suspicious. I went to the FIDA website to find his name, since he said he was a rated player. I didn’t find him under the name of Augustine Rios. So that’s why we actually distanced ourselves from him.”

Jose Sanchez

“Do you know if he was working with more than one school?”

David Martinez

“From my knowledge about four schools in Belize City. More of them are private schools that could actually afford to pay his service.”

Snyder was giving chess lessons at four primary schools in the Belize District.  A tip by a Hummingbird Elementary School student who was watching Walsh’s show, led to the capture.

John Walsh

“They went to our website, confirmed it, called the school, amide the tip to our website back to Colorado. Colorado police got a hold of Miguel down here, the assistant police commissioner here in Belize and they took down Robert Snyder.”

The show which has been on for over twenty-eight years is important to Walsh, since his son Adam, was killed by a child predator.  Walsh is also on the hunt for a fugitive who is believed to have recently passed through Belize.

John Walsh

John Walsh

“I’ve caught fugitives all over the world. They go to a smaller country and think that they can hide; they can melt away into society. I think Miguel Segura said it best, the Assistant Commissioner, he said this sends a message to fugitives who think they can hide in Belize. They can run here but they can’t hide.”

In fact several fugitives have been recently caught in Belize. Sherriff’s Deputy Derrick Yancey, who was wanted for a double homicide and William Jewett who was found on a yacht with loads of cash were both taken back to the U.S. to face charges. Before he returned to the U.S. Walsh interviewed the girl who gave the tip that led to Snyder’s arrest. And as Walsh points out in an impromptu promo, that episode of AMW will be seen on Channel Five.

John Walsh

“I’m John Walsh and I’m here in Belize because the Belize Police helped me take down an international fugitive. Watch America’s Most Wanted right here on Channel Five.”

Delahnie Bain for News Five.

Walsh has also taken his battle to Capitol Hill.  Former U.S. President George Bush signed into law “The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.”