Chainsnatcher sentenced to 5 years behind bars

A Belize City chain snatcher has been sentenced to five years behind bars. Forty-one year old Andy Avilez appeared before Magistrate Sharon Frazer today after the victim, Maria Sabala, testified that she was on New Road on September twenty-fourth when Avilez approached her and asked if she wanted her car cleaned. She declined the offer and as she was getting into the vehicle, Avilez ripped a gold chain she was wearing from around her neck. He took off, but was soon caught by police officer Alford Grinage at the corner of Castle and Victoria Streets. Avilez then took the cop to an empty lot on Fredrick Street and removed Sabala’s chain from beneath a pile of garbage.