Fake gun license cop and ex-cop arrested

Answorth Dawson & Alwyn Gonzalez

Thirty-one year old Alwyn Gonzalez, a Belize City auto dealer, made headlines in May 2010 when he was charged along with his girlfriend for possession of drugs and ammunition.  A month later, the charges brought against them were withdrawn when it was discovered that a substance, weighing over two kilograms, which police initially thought to be powder cocaine tested otherwise.  In the wake of that extraordinary case the couple planned on suing the Police Department.  But tonight Gonzalez is the subject of another criminal investigation following an incident at Benny’s Home Center on Friday.  Gonzalez and thirty-six year old Answorth Dawson were both arrested for attempting to purchase handguns without proper documentation; namely, an approval letter from the Commissioner of Police necessary to legitimize the purchase.  When it was learned that neither men were issued gun licenses, they were arrested and charged for uttering a false document, subsequently leading investigators to believe that they attempted to perpetrate a scam with help from within the Police Department.  News Five spoke with public relations officer, Raphael Martinez, who confirmed that a police officer is also under investigation.

Raphael Martinez, PR, Ministry of Police

Raphael Martinez

“On Friday at approximately one o’clock police were called to Benny’s Home Depot at two and a half miles on the Northern Highway where they encountered the manager, the store manager there who then proceeded to tell them that two men, Answorth Dawson and the other one, Alwyn Gonzalez, they went by with some licensed cards for the purchasing of nine millimeter pistols.  However, upon looking at this a bit closer he realized that they did not produce the official letter that was signed by the Commissioner of Police and it is very essential that you do have these documents completed otherwise the process will not be legal.  Nevertheless, when the attention of the police was brought to this they proceeded to look to confront these two guys and they were subsequently arrested and charged with uttering upon a false document. Because an officer has been implicated an investigation will definitely be taken up regarding this incident because of course, I mean, we cannot allow for something like this to happen.  As a matter of fact I’m sure that during this process maybe there will be a little hold for a little while to ensure that all the documents are looked through, that all the discrepancies are being sifted out so that we can ensure that the procedures have been followed through. I just want to point out though that every police precinct or every police station countrywide we do have these brochures that we’re issuing to the general public and it simply says policies and procedures for the applying, purchasing and licensing of a firearm, including firearm safety tips.”

Police Constable Orlando Jimenez was charged on Monday for Forgery of an Official Document. Jimenez and Gonzalez were both released on bail, but Dawson has been remanded to the Central Prison.