Kidnapped businessman says attackers pretended to be police

Meanwhile, police still have not made any arrests following Monday evening’s kidnapping, robbery and murder. Official investigations have spanned several communities in Belize and Guatemala. However, police say that all three of the suspects are believed to be Belizeans who had been following the movements of their victims for some time.

On Monday evening twenty-two year old driver Emigdio Gomez and his boss, twenty-seven year old Cornelius Schmitt were taking the heavy duty equipment from Banana Bank to Shipyard when they were kidnapped, tortured and shot. Off camera, Schmitt told us today that around five-thirty that evening they were passing through Hattieville when a small black car overtook them and swerved suddenly in front of them, forcing them to come to a stop. Schmitt said three men, two of whom spoke Spanish and another who talked Kriol, pretended to be policemen and informed them that their rear lights weren’t working and they would take them to the Belmopan Police Station. One of the attackers took over command of the tow truck and turned the vehicle around. However, when they reached the Coastal Road junction, Schmitt says the men took a detour onto the Coastal Road. The frightened men were forced from the vehicle at gunpoint and robbed of their cash and valuables. But Schmitt says the robbers were frustrated that they only got three hundred dollars and without warning shot him twice before turning on Gomez. Despite bleeding profusely from the neck and abdomen, Schmitt was able to run away. He collapsed about a mile down the road and was rushed by ambulance to the K.H.M.H. It wasn’t until the following day that he was able to tell investigators what happened. Gomez’s body was eventually found early Tuesday afternoon hanging from a tree. Schmitt is expected to be released from the K.H.M.H. by the end of this week but told us today that he is planning to seek further medical attention in Chetumal for a broken left jaw caused by the impact of the bullet in his throat. Despite his injuries Schmitt appeared to have a positive attitude and expects to make a full recovery.