BELIZE CITY

SHOOTING INCIDENT

Deon BENNETT, 35-year-old of Belize City, reported that sometime around 7:30am on the 15th of January 2017, while riding his bicycle on University Drive in Belize City, he saw a green Liberty Jeep SUV approaching him from the opposite direction and saw a male person sitting at the back passenger seat, who fired several shots at him. He sustained injuries to left hand, right upper arm, back of neck, upper back, and left side of back. He was taken to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital for medical treatment and later released. The green Jeep Liberty SUV was located and impounded pending investigation. Police have since detained one person and are seeking another as investigations continue.
 
On the 15th of January 2017 at around 12:30pm, police visited the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital where they saw Francis PETILLO, 31-year-old of Belize City, suffering from a graze to the abdomen. Investigations revealed that around 12:20pm, PETILLO was walking on Western Avenue heading towards Mahogany Street Extension when he was approached by a male person who fired several shots in his direction. PETILLO was transported to the KHMH where he was treated and released. Police are seeking a suspect as investigations continue.
 
FOUND PROPERTY

On the 14th of January 2017 at around 9:15am, police visited an abandoned area on the south side of Belize City where they found an American type fragmentation grenade. The BDF was informed and the grenade was retrieved. No one was in the area. The Police Department extends appreciation to the individuals who provided the information leading to the recovery of the grenade. We urge others who may have similar information to feel free to contact the nearest police station or call 911 in order to rid our streets of these deadly weapons.
 
HATTIEVILLE VILLAGE
 
RAPE

On the 15th of January 2017, a female reported that on the 15th of January 2017 at 7:00pm, she was walking in the Bainsville area when she was approached by a male person with narrow face, of dark complexion, about 5 feet 5 inches in height, and slim built. He was wearing a green sweater, dark blue peak hat, and was in possession of a machete. He demanded money and thereafter, took her to the nearby bushes where he raped her and then made his escape. Police are investigating.
 
SAN PEDRO TOWN

FOUND PROPERTY

On the 14th of January 2017 at around 7:45am, police responded to information received of a sack on the beach 4 miles south of San Pedro Town believed to be drugs. They visited the area and recovered the sack containing twenty five (25) parcels of cocaine; each weighing between 2.29lbs and 2.35 lbs, amounting to 57.52lbs total. The drugs were labeled as found property as no one was seen in the immediate area.

CITY OF BELMOPAN

FATAL ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT

On the 14th of January 2017at about 8:30pm, Belmopan Police responded to a Fatal Road Traffic Accident between miles 53 and 54 on the Hummingbird Highway where they saw the body of Oscar Emigdio Santillana RIVAS, 52-year-old Salvadoran of Belmopan, lying on the side of the highway. Investigations revealed that he was riding a grey beach cruiser bicycle when he was hit from behind by a black Honda CRV which was being driven at the time by Michael John RAU, who was travelling south. Oscar RIVAS received head and body injuries and died on the spot. His body now lies at the Western Regional Hospital morgue awaiting a post mortem examination. A Notice of Intended Prosecution was served to Michael John RAU pending investigation. The vehicle was impounded.
 
SAN IGNACIO TOWN

THEFT OF MOTOR VEHICLE

The Deputy Regional Health Manager at San Ignacio Community Hospital reported that on the 13th of January 2017 about 7:30am, she received a phone call message stating that the 2014 silver (4) door Hilux pick-up truck with license plate # BZ B-2009, property of the Ministry of Health, was stolen from off of the compound at the San Ignacio Community Hospital. Melchor police was contacted as investigations continue.