Crime

Canadian National Jasmine Hartin will remain incarcerated after her Supreme Court petition for bail on Wednesday, June 2nd was denied. Stating she is considered a flight risk, Justice Herbert Lord presided over the bail hearing, which is adjourned to Wednesday, June 9th.

The cause of the early morning fire at Pedro’s Hotel and Inn on Seagrape Drive in San Pedro Town on Sunday, May 23rd, is not yet clear, but authorities are considering arson. This has reportedly led to the detention of an individual as investigators complete their probe to determine the exact cause of the blaze.

To discuss and find solutions to challenges tourism is facing in San Pedro Town and address the recent increase in reports of questionable police conduct, a meeting was held on Tuesday, May 18th, with central and local government officials and island stakeholders. BTB Chairman Tillet assured that all concerns are considered and emphasized the importance of keeping the lines of communication open.

The shooting victim airlifted to Belize City yesterday is identified as fisherman 42-year-old Matthew Jonathan Moses of DFC area, San Pedro Town. He was reportedly shot and stabbed over the weekend but did not receive medical attention until Monday, April 12th. Moses was rushed to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II with multiple wounds and later transported off the island for much-needed emergency treatment.

A man was rushed to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II on Monday, April 12th, with apparent gunshot injuries. The unidentified patient was stabilized and airlifted to the mainland for further medical care. According to unofficial information, the victim was allegedly shot over the weekend north of San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye.

The lobster season officially opened on June 15th, but a few days before this date, some fishermen were caught with out of season products (lobster and conch) within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve (HCMR). This was the result of increased enforcement efforts by HCMR between June 13th and 15th, leading to the successful prosecution of eight fishermen. They were charged and fined for possession of lobster during the closed season, possession of conch during the closed season, possession of undersized lobster, possession of lobster with spawn, possession of soft shell lobster, possession of lobster with berries removed, fishing within a conservation zone, engaging in spearfishing within the Reserve and fishing without a valid fishing license. The total amount in fines amounted to $13,180 BZ, and one fisherman of Guatemalan nationality was remanded while the others met bail.

The meeting was hosted by the Belize Crime Observatory (BCO), under the Ministry of National Security at the Coastal Zone Management, Authority and Institute’s training room. Several presentations took place, touching on topics from the state of crime in the country, to forensic reports and the Kolbe Foundation at the Belize Central Prison.

There are no indications as to when the criminal court case against American National Anke Doehm will hear a verdict. Doehm, who continues to face a charge of ‘Cruelty to a Child,’ in connection with the death of her adoptive daughter, Faye Lin Cannon, was in court on January 16th.