ORANGE WALK DISTRICT

HOUSE FIRE

On 24th July 2014 at about 2:30pm, police responded to a fire report at Black Water Creek, Orange Walk District, where Mauricio JONES, 30 year old Belizean Field Officer for Ministry of Agriculture and Resident of Black Water Creek area, reported that on 24th July 2014 at about 2:00pm, he was at his father’s house next door when he heard someone shouted fire. He went to check and noticed that his daughter’s room situated to the west of his house was totally engulfed in flames. He immediately called fire personnel who managed to extinguish the fire. However, the interior part of the house was destroyed by fire. Police are investigating.
 
THEFT OF FIREARM

Wayne MITCHELL, 51 year old Belizean Land Consultant of Orange Walk Town, reported that on 24th June 2014 at about 5:30pm, he parked his rental car - a Ford Crown Victoria - in an open lot situated on Staines Alley, Orange Walk Town, and left. He stated that he had secured the car properly, but forgot his firearm in the side of the front passenger seat. MITCHELL returned to the car at about 7:15pm and that was when he noticed that his pistol was missing. The firearm is a 9mm Black and silver in color brand Ruger P 35.The firearm was loaded with 15 live rounds hollow point. Police are investigating.
 
FATAL TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

On 24th July 2014 at about 1:55pm, police visited Yo Creek Road where upon arrival; two vehicles were seen on both sides of the road. A Beige Suzuki Wagon LP-OW-03699 which was extensively damaged and a green Bedford truck without license plate. Investigations revealed that the beige Suzuki wagon that was on the left hand side coming towards Orange Walk Town when apparently, the driver lost control and collided into the Bedford Truck. The Suzuki landed in the drain on the road side and the Bedford ended up across the road. The Suzuki wagon was being driven at the time by Nadir MUNOZ, 26 year old Belizean Driver of Trial Farm village, who was taken out by passersby and taken to the Northern Regional Hospital. While MUNOZ was undergoing treatment at the hospital he passed away and was pronounced dead at 2:00pm at the NRH. Police are investigating.

BELIZE DISTRICT

HOUSE FIRE

On 24th July 2014 at about 10:10am, police responded to a house fire at # 25 Berkley Street, Belize City, where they saw three houses engulfed in flames. The first was a green two-story house with the upper portion made of board and the lower flat made of concrete. The upper portion was occupied by Ms. Jenisse RAMIREZ, 33 year old Belizean Rum Mixer, along with her brother and three children. The lower flat was occupied by Ms. Merlene ANDREWS, 75 year old Belizean Domestic. The house and all its contents were completely destroyed by the fire.
 
The second house was also a green two-story board house located at # 23 Berkley Street, Belize City, which was seen with the North side of both the lower and upper position of the building engulf in flames. That house was occupied by Ms. Tricia REYNOLDS, 38 year old. The house received fire and water damage both to the upper and lower flat.

The third house was a cream and brown stilt board house located at # 70 Plues Street, Belize City, which was completely destroyed by fire. The house was occupied by Ms. Barbara MATTHEWS who, at the time, was not home.

Initial investigation reveals that on Thursday, 24th July 2014, Ms. Jenisse RAMIREZ left her two children (age 6 and 4 years old) in the company of her babysitter. The 6 year old child allegedly lit some papers on a bed in the room which caused the fire. The flames then spread to the other two houses nearby. No one was injured in the fire. The fire was extinguished by the fire personnel. Police are investigating.


PRELIMINARY REPORT: HOMICIDE

At about 7:12am, on 25th July 2014, police visited a home at the corner Jaguar and Tapir Streets, Belize City, where they found the body of Stephen John MICHAEL, 28 year old Teacher at the 7th Day Adventist School, lying face down on his bed - bleeding from the nose. Stolen from his house were his television, wallet and cellphone. The body was transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where it awaits a postmortem examination. Nobody has been detained and police suspect foul play as investigation continues.