Mechanic found guilty of obtaining property by deception

Lizardo Ochoa

A Belize City mechanic who reportedly swindled money from two customers, who were also his friends, was before the court today to answer to two counts of obtaining property by deception. Twenty-eight year old Lizardo Ochoa, of a North Front Street address was arraigned before Chief Magistrate, Anne Marie Smith to answer to the charges. Allegations are that on two separate dates in August, Ochoa obtained by deception from Crystal Samos, the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars, and six hundred dollars and fifty dollars from John Grimshaw.  When the charges were read to Ochoa, he pleaded guilty with an explanation saying that while he did wrong he made several attempts to return pay his friends back but could not locate them. But the Chief Magistrate ordered that he pay back more than he had obtained. Grimshaw is to be paid seven hundred and fifty dollars and Samos five hundred dollars.  Ochoa was also fined an additional two hundred dollars which he paid before noon and was able to go home.