Car theft ring busted; and cop gets honoured

He was taken before the courts for car theft earlier this week, and tonight the ring leader of the cartel is facing additional charges. Thirty-three year old Karl Hemsley, along with his older brother, forty-one year old Paul Hemsley, appeared before Magistrate Albert Hoare and were charged jointly with one count of Handling Stolen Goods. On September second they were found in possession of a grey Acer laptop belonging to Nestor Alfaro. Police say that Alfaro’s Isuzu pick-up was stolen in July and inside it was his Acer laptop that was found at Karl Hemsley’s house. While Karl met bail before four this evening, Paul was remanded because he is on parole for a car theft conviction and he also owes the court. But that is not the end of Paul’s charge sheet. Earlier in the week, he was charged along with Enfield Gillett and Egbert Ferguson for Handling Stolen Goods for the theft of an L-200 Mitsubishi truck whose engine was found at the house of a mechanic on Magazine Road. Hemsley is also believed to be connected to many vehicles stolen within Belize City and recovered in Caledonia Village in Corozal District. The Hemsley brothers are due in court on October thirteenth.

And in related news which just happens to be good Police news, an officer who played a major role in breaking up the car theft ring has been commended by the police department. Police Constable number 921, Victor Guzman, was selected as Officer of the month for August. On August thirtieth, 2009, Constable Guzman investigated a series of stolen vehicles reported in Belize City. His persistence and zeal led to several arrests including the Hemsley brothers and the recovery of vehicles, engines and parts. His work dismantled the gang that specialized in countrywide auto thefts. Guzman is presently assigned to Caledonia Police Sub Station.