On the Phone: Adrian Balan

On the Phone: Adrian Balan, Cattle Farmer

“We have been having that issue years a back with our family, because it is a family thing that we have in that area, uncles, brothers, cousins. We have cattle in that area. So, every year we are losing animals. We put vaccines, because here in Belize they put vaccine for black legs and rabies. So, we out black legs and rabies every year back-to-back. But we vaccine every year and we are still losing. I would want to know what is happening because we done get test from the water, test from the cattle, blood test and everything and everything comes back negative. In that video you are seeing there are three animals down and we went to vaccine today, just today we went to vaccine again. We found three animals today and animals started to die from starting January. Right now we done lose like sixteen animals already. We done vaccine for everything already, black legs, rabies, thick fever. They look healthy and everything. We have taken the Ministry of Agriculture to help and they are saying it is not black leg because when it is black leg the ones from BAHA they know when it is black leg because that is their job. And they are saying it could be tick fever, but I done vaccine for tick fever two times, and still we are still having the same problem.”

Balan says his family is desperate for answers as their herd keeps dying despite vaccinations, tests, and help from agriculture officials, leaving them worried about how much more they can afford to lose.

The post Cayo Ranchers Hit Hard by unexplained Cattle Deaths first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                                      Oscar Mira

Oscar Mira, Area Representative, Belmopan

“Part of Rivera. It’s not all of Rivera, so it’s part of Rivera that does not have electricity. And part of the problem was that the area was not surveyed. The area had no infrastructure, had no roads, infrastructure. I was lobbying for that electricity to go in there and I was told by Belize Electricity Limited, there needs to be a road. I did the road and after speaking to BEL They said nobody has applied, so I encouraged residents there to apply. So I know for a fact that one resident, one, has applied to PUC for electricity. And with that one application that they have received, I am now lobbying BEL again to make sure that they can put the electricity in that area. It’s something that is ongoing. As I said it is not an easy, it’s not an easy venture to do because of the lack of roads that was there before. Know that we have it and know that one person has applied. I think BEL would be it would be easier for BEL to put electrics here. So my lobbying still continues. I have committed to ensuring that I do whatever is possible. I wish that I could do it faster. I wish that I had the authority to just to say BEL go and put you in the poles, but that is not and the process is very long. And I just hope that we have some patients it’s been a long time and I, it is not the only area in Belmopan that doesn’t have electricity. Belmopan is growing so fast and in the area of Maya Mopan, there’s also areas that don’t have electricity, that don’t have water. And we are working with the utility companies to ensure that we get those utilities back here as well.”

The post When is Electricity Coming to Rivera Area? first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

A statement from the council says that the mayor and councillors do not condone the employee’s actions and described the incident as “completely unacceptable” and deeply troubling.

The council said it maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward theft, abuse of trust, or any behavior that causes harm to residents, particularly children, or brings disrepute to the institution.

According to the release, appropriate administrative and disciplinary actions are being pursued in accordance with established procedures.

The child left the money at the counter before it was snatched by the employee.

The post City Council Employee Accused of Stealing From A Child first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Police charged 28-year-old Tyron Castro, a Belizean call center agent, with abetment to murder in relation to the January 7 killing.

Gabourel, 55, was fatally shot while making a delivery along Mountain View Boulevard. Police said Gabourel was accompanied by a 15-year-old delivery helper when two men on a motorcycle intercepted the truck and opened fire, striking Gabourel. The attackers attempted to open the vehicle’s door but fled the scene when unsuccessful.

Gabourel was rushed to the Western Regional Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Police have already charged two other men with murder in the case. They are 25-year-old Wilhem Coye of Camalote Village and 29-year-old Shaylon Melvin Santos of Teakettle Village.

The post Third Person Charged in Belmopan Delivery Driver Murder first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

The incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Mountain View Boulevard. Police reported that Gabourel, who was accompanied by a 15-year-old delivery helper, was exiting the compound of an establishment when two men on a Meilun motorcycle rode in front of the truck. The passenger fired several shots at the vehicle, striking Gabourel. The motorcycle driver then attempted to open the truck door but was unsuccessful before both men fled the scene.

Gabourel was transported to the Western Regional Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

The post Police Release Details of Latest Belmopan Murder first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

ASP Stacy Smith reported that the homeowner, who was away at the time, contacted police after his security system alerted him to movement on the property.

“When police made checks at that residence, they found Mr. Larios therein. And in his possession were two items belonging to the homeowner,” Smith said.

The post Construction Worker Arrested for Burglary in Armenia Village first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The fatal shooting of a twenty-one-year-old robbery suspect has ignited online debate over how far business owners go to protect themselves. When Zeldon Thompson walked into Anna’s Store on Saturday night to pull off an armed robbery, he never imagined the owner would fight back and fatally shoot him. Thompson and another suspect entered the grocery store demanding cash. In an instant, the owner brandished a gun and began shooting toward them, causing them to flee the scene.

                            ASP Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“Upon police arrival they were advised by the proprietors that two male persons, one wore a mask and the other a helmet entered that establishment and they were armed and proceeded to demand that they hand over money in their possession. One of the proprietors who is the holder of a licensed firearm being in fear of his life and that of his family members fired three shots at the individuals who then fled the establishment. While the officers were on the scene they were advised that in an area not too far from where the incident occurred a male person with gunshot wounds was observed.”

Thompson was rushed to the hospital where he died. Word of the attempted robbery and Thompson’s death spread quickly, prompting business owners to urge Mayor Earl Trapp to address security concerns. This morning, he convened a meeting with senior police officers in the twin towns.

                             Earl Trapp

Ear Trapp, Mayor, SI/SE

“It breaks my heart when the culprit is shot and dead, not because I am condoning it, but if the culprit was shot and survived it we could have gone from there and life would have continued. But I just want to send out my heartfelt condolence to the family.”

The family respectfully declined comment. Thompson’s sister, however, took to social media, expressing her family’s grief over Zeldon’s death. She says, “What he did was wrong and we acknowledge that fully… which has left us deeply hurt and puzzled”, “That being said, he is still a human being, those placing blame on my mother or questioning how she raised him, please refrain”. “We strongly believe he was led astray by the people he considered friend”.

Earl Trapp

“Unfortunately it took the life of a youth, twenty-one-year-old. But if could have gone anyway, maybe the life of one of the employees or even the store owner.”

Paul Lopez

“You spoke about the young man losing his life, how do you view business owners arming themselves and defending their property?”

Earl Trapp

“Well, that is number one priority in my humble opinion, because you know there is a saying out there, a thief is a protentional killer. So, you always have to take care of yourself first. So, even though, I am not happy with how the guy past away, I believe the owner has alright to defend himself.”

Police say the DPP will decide if the store owner’s use of force was justified.

ASP Stacy Smith

“The investigators compiled a file and they will submit that to the office of the DPP where a determination will be made whether the force used was justifiable under the circumstances.”

As for the security concerns from business owners in the twin towns, Mayor Trapp and the police department agreed on several measures to be implemented during the holidays. Those plans include ramped-up police patrols, with special attention on motorcycle riders.

Earl Trapp

“We will be doing more patrols and any suspicious motorists, like motorcycle users, because you can recognize them from far. We will not say what it is that helps us to recognize them, but they have bene doing things to hide their identities in different ways. But when the police department spots individuals that look suspicions they will stop them and do a spot check.”

Mayor Trapp advises business owners to remain vigilant and increase their own security measures where possible. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez

The post Store Owner Fatally Shoots Robbery Suspect in Santa Elena first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

A twenty-nine-year-old barber from Santa Elena is on the run after allegedly robbing two American tourists in San Ignacio. Police detained Israel Bradley for the crime, but he later escaped. They now believe he gave them a false name. Surveillance cameras on Burns Avenue caught the robbery as it unfolded Friday night.

In this video, the suspect is seen walking up Burns Avenue at around nine fourteen p.m. He paused to tie his shoelace before moving on, scanning his surroundings as he walked. As he approached the camera, more details became clear. He is slim built, and wore black sneakers, dark hoodie and a warm hat. He’s later seen walking near an abandoned lot on Burns Avenue before slipping into the property through a gap in the fence. It was 9:15 when he likely noticed his targets, who strolled past the abandoned lot less than two minutes afterward. And just like that, he reappeared and began following the two women. First, he walked casually behind the two women and then he began sprinting towards them. The suspect went after the woman carrying the purse and she fought back for fifteen seconds, and he kept swinging punches at her. Her friend screamed for help and also tried to fight him off.

“Hailey let go.”

“That has everything.”

“I know, I know, come on, this way, this way.”

                                 Earl Trapp

Earl Trapp, Mayor, San Ignacio

“And its circulating on social media and it looks terrible on us.”

Mayor Earl Trapp is concerned about the message this incident sends to potential tourists of the twin towns, and the impact it can have on the industry.

Earl Trapp

“The only good thing about that is that the police department responded immediately and by the end of the night they were able to apprehend the culprit.”

But the suspect later escaped from lawful custody.

ASP Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“This male person is wanted for the crime of robbery and escaping from lawful custody. The robbery being investigated occurred on Friday nineteenth December when two American nationals reported to police that they were walking on Burns Avenue when they were accosted by a person with knife who proceeded to demand their personal belonging and their struggle ensued after which he was able to wrestle a purse belonging to one of the females. The purse contained a cell phone and two hundred dollars in cash, along with cards belonging to one of the females.”

The stolen cellphone was later traced and recovered. Police released details about the suspect’s identity before later capturing Bradley in Santa Elena, where a search uncovered two items stolen from the American woman. But how did Bradley escape?

ASP Stacy Smith

“Regrettably during the course of his detention while the officer in charge of the cell block was facilitating the cleaning of the cell block the male person was able to bolt and make good his escape.”

Police now believe he gave them a fake name.

Paul Lopez

“Is San Ignacio no longer safe for tourist?”

Earl Trapp

“No Mr. Lopez, no I dispel that. San Ignacio and Santa Elena is very safe for tourists but we will never be able to eradicate crime. It could be right in the center of town and some robbers are facey. But it is safe and I can tell you I will follow up with the Belize Electricity Limited in terms of our tourism corridor, because there is a project that was suppose to be up already. I will find out about the delays and see if we can get the tourism corridor properly lit.”

The alleged culprit remains at large as police remind citizens that it is a crime to harbor a wanted person. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The post Robbery Suspect Escapes Police Custody in San Ignacio first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

                             ASP Stacy Smith

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“What the investigators have ascertained so far is that the vehicle was being driven at the time by one Jalen Thompson. And they were coming from the south. After going to a party, we are told and sometime whilst approaching mile thirty-two, Mr. Thompson lost control of the motor vehicle causing it to overturn. The investigators have secured a urine sample from Mr. Thompson with a view to establishing whether or not alcohol or drugs played a role in this incident. And he has also been served with a notice of intended prosecution.”

The post Fatal Hummingbird Highway Accident Claims Young Life first appeared on Greater Belize Media.

Police identified the deceased as Zeldon Thompson, a resident of Esperanza Village. According to investigators, Thompson sustained gunshot wounds to the left ribcage and knee.

Thompson was a suspect in the attempted robbery and was shot by the store owner.

The post Robbery Suspect Fatally Shot in Cayo first appeared on Greater Belize Media.