Crime & Violence
Two detained following the death of American citizen Jennifer Griffith
San Pedro Police have detained two individuals in connection with the death of Jennifer Lynn Griffith, a 46-year-old American national residing on the island. Griffith was hit in the head with a conch shell during an altercation on Saturday, April 6th, which resulted in her death.
Crime & Violence
San Pedro Police staying vigilant following State of Emergency declared on the mainland
Since March 26th, a state of emergency (SOE) has been implemented in some regions of southside Belize City, Hattieville Village, and Roaring Creek Village in the Cayo District. The motive behind this was to prevent any retaliation following three murders, one of which was a police officer. The police officers and Belize Defence Force soldiers have been targeting possible gang members in these areas. Therefore, many of them have fled to other parts of the country, including San Pedro Town. In the past week, the San Pedro Police Formation detained and removed several of these suspected gang members from the island.
Crime & Violence
Jasmine Hartin’s case on Drug Possession and Common Assault case continues this month
Jasmine Hartin’s legal case for charges of Drug Possession and Common Assault has been adjourned until April 22nd. Hartin was to appear virtually on March 27th, but after learning the prosecutor was on sick leave, the trial was re-scheduled.
Crime & Violence
Anke Doehm starts Cruelty to a Child trial in Belize City
The trial for the criminal case against Anke Doehm for the death of her adopted daughter Faye Lin Cannon started on Wednesday, February 21st, at the High Court in Belize City. Doehm faces a charge of Cruelty to a Child after Cannon was found dead in her bedroom on July 3, 2017, in their apartment north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.
Crime & Violence
Over 900 illegal firearms destroyed by law enforcement officers
A record number of firearms were destroyed on Friday, January 19th, at the Police Training Academy in Belmopan City. The 900-plus illegal weapons were seized from across the country throughout the past years. The Firearm Destruction Initiative is a collaborative project between Belize's law enforcement agents, the Caribbean Community Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS), the Mine Advisory Group (MAG), and the British High Commission.
Crime & Violence
Islander David Gonzalez sentenced to life in prison for wife’s murder
San Pedro resident David Gonzalez remains at the Kolbe Foundation-Belize Central Prison, where he is starting a life sentence for the murder of his wife, Marisela Gonzalez. Gonzalez was convicted of the crime in November 2023 and will be eligible for parole after serving 35 years in prison.
Crime & Violence
Police looking for culprits for daylight robbery in downtown San Pedro
The San Pedro Police continue to investigate the broad daylight robbery on Pescador Drive on Tuesday, January 16th. Two employees of Caribeña Enterprise and Coral Cable Vision were on their way to deposit at the bank when they were intercepted and robbed by two men on a motorcycle. No one has been detained, but the motorcycle they escaped on was found.
Crime & Violence
Tracey Betancourt found not guilty of Lamont Lipka’s murder
Former island resident Tracey Betancourt, 26, was found not guilty, in her absence, of Lamont Lipka’s 2018 murder during a hearing at the High Court in Belize City on Thursday, December 21st. Betancourt, who remains at large, had been jointly charged with Leon Walford, 38, for the murder of Lipka, an American national businessman in San Pedro Town. In July 2022, her verdict for murder was to be handed down; Betancourt was out on bail, absconded from the court hearing, and since then has been on the run. While she was not found guilty, the High Court noted that Betancourt could still face the escape charge because she voluntarily decided to abscond.
