Husband detained after taking wife hostage
Police have detained a man pending charges of kidnapping after he reportedly took his own wife hostage today. The incident unfolded just after eleven this morning when Brian Saunders visited his wife, Claudia Saunders, a senior employee at the Belize Zoo. The couple became embroiled in an argument during which Brian began to choke Claudia. The assault lasted for several minutes and caused damage to the infrastructure inside her office. But things took a frightening turn when Saunders allegedly pulled out a gun and forced his wife into his white Ford pick up truck and headed to a feeder road about a hundred yards away. The fighting continued until police from Belmopan and Belize City arrived to diffuse the conflict and take Brian Saunders into custody. News Five was on the scene at the Zoo shortly after the incident and spoke with the facility’s Supervisor, Bladimir Miranda, who basically denied the incident.
Vladimir Miranda, Supervisor, Belize Zoo
“Nothing happened here at the zoo. Maybe it happened outside of the zoo but I see nothing happen”
Marion Ali
“But the person who is involved is one of the financial managers or the financial manager.”
Vladimir Miranda
“Well, like how I tell you, I don’t know.”
Keith Swift, Channel Seven
“Sir, we see broken windows up there. We understand that there was some sort of struggle and there was a gun involved.”
Vladimir Miranda
“Well, I just mentioned to you that I wasn’t around here and I don’t know what happened. If it happened with a couple on the road I don’t know.”
Marion Ali
“But then your glass louvers …”
Vladimir Miranda
“Well you noh have to worry if ih bruk right now or ih bruk.”
Marion Ali
“Something did happen. That indicates that something happened.
Vladimir Miranda
“Well, I don’t know.”
Marion Ali
“Something happened though.”
Vladimir Miranda
“Dat dah what you seh.”
Keith Swift
“So there was no altercation here at the zoo upstairs in the office.”
Vladimir Miranda
“Well, according to what I know, nothing.”
News Five understands that the Domestic Violence Unit is dealing with the matter.
