Belmopan Police stops robber in his tracks

Howell Gillett

Belmopan Police believe that a minor may be responsible for a spate of recent walk-way jackings in that city. That minor was captured this morning on Oriole Street in the Capital, minutes after he allegedly grabbed a purse from a U.B. student. She raised the alarm and Police quickly responded. Shots were fired by the apprehending officers, which alarmed residents of the area, but nobody was injured. Officer Commanding Belmopan Police Formation, Superintendent Howell Gillett, told News Five via phone that they are taking all necessary steps to ensure citizen security, and had put plans in place even before the report by the U.B. student this morning.

Via Phone: Supt. Howell Gillett, O.C., Belmopan Police Formation

“She reported that sometime around ten am this morning she was walking on the walkway from the Belmopan Comprehensive School area towards Social Security. In that area a person came from back-way and took away her purse containing a Samsung Galaxy phone valued at five hundred dollars Belize. Quick Police response led to the apprehension of this person. The name I do not care to share because the person is a minor. The person will be charged for theft. We have recovered both the purse and the phone so far.”

Reporter

“O.C., we have reports that shots were fired during the apprehension. Could you clarify for us what happened?”

Via Phone: Supt. Howell Gillett

“Yes what happened is that the Police had to fire two shots during the apprehension process to have this person subdued. No one was injured during the incident though. We now have in place since yesterday uniformed foot patrols along the walkway, and we have plainclothes Police Officers discreetly patrolling the walkways also. As early as tomorrow I will be meeting with the Mayor, his worship Mr. Simeon Lopez to address the situation with lighting on the walkway, the cutting of trees and shrubs along with walkway, as well as other strategic issues will be brought up. What I advise people to do at this time is to walk in groups rather than individually…do not expose your valuable possessions as has been the case in some of the reports that we have gotten from the walkway. And I want the public to know that I have advised my officers to be very robust when engaging these criminals since we have them on the walkways…so we are supposed to see a reduction and it’s all in an effort to lower the crime situation on the walkway.”

Superintendent Gillett says the minor in custody may be responsible for the other incidents of theft reported on the walkway. On Saturday, the Police will be having a meet and greet session in and around Belmopan in an effort to foster a better relationship with the community.