Crime & Violence
Caribbean Chicken in Escalante, south of San Pedro burglarized
San Pedro police continue investigating a burglary incident at the Caribbean Chicken branch on the island. According to an official report, the business in the Escalante subdivision was burglarized over the weekend when assailants broke into the place and took a safe containing an undisclosed amount of cash.
Crime & Violence
Leon Walford gets life sentence for the death of Lamont Lipka; Tracey Betancourt still on the run
On Monday, April 24th, Leon Walford, 38, was given a life sentence after he was found guilty of murdering San Pedro businessman American national Lamont “Monty” Edward Lipka in 2018. Walford and islander Tracey Betancourt were found guilty of the crime in July 2022. However, Betancourt remains at large.
Crime & Violence
Jerry Espat’s accused killers offered bail
Gabriel Salazar and Carlos Salazar were offered bail after they appeared at the Supreme Court in Belize City. Gabriel appeared on April 20th and Carlos on the 21st. Both are facing charges for the October 2021 shooting death of Jerry Espat.
Crime & Violence
San Pedro resident Alvaro Tun charged with the death of Elder Arana
Islander 32-year-old Alvaro Luis Tun was arraigned at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on Tuesday, March 7th, for the death of 29-year-old Elder Arana. Although Tun claims he is innocent, he is charged with Murder. No plea was taken, and bail was denied. Tun has been remanded to the Kolbe Foundation-Belize Central Prison, and his next court date is set for May 31, 2023.
Crime & Violence
More island youth charged and remanded for gang affiliation
Over the past few weeks, police have arrested and charged several San Pedro youths for affiliating with local gangs. Recent court reports indicate that two more young islanders, Michel Deon Gamboa and Steven Vernon, both from the San Juan subdivision, have been remanded for this offense within the first week of 2023.
Crime & Violence
Suspects in tourist death in San Pedro all previously charged with murder
Two islanders, Delson Paguada and Lucio Salazar, were arraigned on Tuesday, January 3rd, for the December 30th shooting death of American tourist J'Bria Michelle Bowens in San Pedro Town. A third person, Alfredo Trapp, is wanted for questioning by police. One thing this trio has in common is that they have all faced Murder charges in the past. However, each has managed to get out of imprisonment in one way or another.
Crime & Violence
Paguada and Salazar arraigned for Murder; police looking for third suspect Alfredo Trapp in tourist murder
Delson Paguada and Lucio Salazar were arraigned on Tuesday, January 3rd, in Belize City for the shooting death of American tourist J’Bria Michelle Bowens. Both were charged with Murder and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until their next court date on March 3, 2023. The Belize Police Department also released the image of islander Alfredo Trapp wanted for questioning in Bowens’ death. Bowens, a nursing student, was vacationing in San Pedro Town with her family when she was caught by a barrage of bullets on Friday, December 30th, outside Jaguar’s nightclub.
Crime & Violence
Islanders Lucio Salazar and Delson Pagoda charged with the murder of American student J’Bria Michelle Bowen
On Sunday, January 1st, police provided an update on the shooting death of American nursing student J'Bria Michelle Bowens, 23, which occurred on Friday...
