Trio detained for string of robberies

They were nabbed by police for filling up their gas tank and driving off without paying, but tonight those three men may face additional charges in connection with as many as seven weekend robberies. According to police, shortly after noon on Sunday, a black Isuzu Trooper drove up to a gas pump at the ESSO New Road Service Station and asked for a full tank of gas. Upon receiving one hundred and ninety five dollars worth of fuel, however, the trooper sped off without paying. Authorities immediately sent out a description of the vehicle which was subsequently intercepted by police near the Belcan Roundabout. The cops, aside from uncovering a nine millimetre pistol loaded with five rounds of ammunition, also noticed that the three men fit the description of the suspects responsible for six robberies in Belize City and one in Ladyville, including the hold up of two Chinese grocers located on the Northern Highway. Both Multi Trading House and Highway Grocery Store were robbed at gun point last week Friday by two men, who made off with a total of one thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars in cash and seven hundred dollars in phone cards. Pending positive identification in a police line-up, the three suspects are expected to answer robbery charges in addition to charges of Possession of an Unlicensed Firearm and Ammunition.