In 2016, the San Pedro Police Department (SPPD) documented two unresolved murder cases, one of which was the brutal death of local athlete Melvin Almendarez. Almendarez was found dead on May 6, 2016 at a feeder road in Southern Ambergris Caye. Following the discovery, Canadian National Jordan Bacchus was detained as a prime suspect for further investigation. Due to a lack of evidence during the 48-hour detention, Bacchus was only charged with “Possession of Controlled Drugs’ and released with bail. A week later, SPPD managed to accumulate strong evidence to charge Bacchus with Almendarez’ death and issued a warrant for his arrest. However, Bacchus remains at large, and nine months later, The San Pedro Sun has come across a story confirming that Bacchus fled to Canada. Bacchus is now wanted by the 51st Division of the Toronto police for other crimes.
According to the post, 6’1″, thin-built, 27-year-old Jordan Bacchus has been wanted since February 23, 2017 for multiple firearm offences. It is alleged that on February 22nd the Toronto Police Service executed several search warrants at addresses in Toronto in relation to Bacchus. However, he was not located. Toronto police indicate that he was last observed driving a charcoal-colored Infiniti four-door automobile in the Christie Street and Dupont Street area.
During several exchanges, Toronto police revealed to The San Pedro Sun that they were aware that Bacchus was wanted for murder in Belize, and this information helped them to obtain the necessary search warrants they used in an attempt to apprehend him. Bacchus has been at large since the searches.
In San Pedro, Almendarez’s widow Nancy told The San Pedro Sun that this new information has brought some sense of relief. “After my husband was murdered, I did not give up. I go to the police station multiple times a month to find out if they have found my husband’s killer. Police have not assisted me very well, and they always tell me that they don’t know where Bacchus is. When I found out that Bacchus is in Canada, all I thought to myself was the lack of interest from the police. Many murder cases go unsolved because police officers don’t put the effort in finding out information,” said Almendarez.
Almendarez is hopeful that justice will be served one day. “I have high hopes that Jordan Bacchus will be caught. It might be tomorrow, next year, or even 10 years, but I know he will not be in hiding forever. Being wanted in Canada makes it easier for him to be caught because he is being exposed. My husband was a good role model, and now, I am a single mother with three children. The load is on me, and his death has impacted my children psychologically. Bacchus will pay for what he has done, and I hope the Canadian police catch him.”
Meanwhile, Officer in Charge of the Coastal Executive Unit, Assistant Superintendent Henry Jemmott remains in communication with Toronto authorities.
Toronto police consider Bacchus armed and dangerous, and should not be approached. Canadian police request that anyone aware of his whereabouts to contact them immediately. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-5100, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637).
