Police News
New Police Sub-Station opens in northern Ambergris Caye
The San Pedro Police Formation has expanded its reach to northern Ambergris Caye with the official opening of a sub-station. The new police building officially opened on Wednesday, February 8th, some 10 miles north of San Pedro Town. It will serve as the base for tourism police and operational units.
Police News
Director of Public Prosecution to investigate the death of Nicole Polonio
The death of islander Nicole Polonio, 34, has many residents concerned about the circumstances leading to her sudden demise. According to those close to Polonio, she spent her last days at her home on Swan Street restrained in a room, tied up, screaming for help, and only fed grapes. According to reports, Polonio was believed to be either mentally challenged or possessed and was kept in confinement for her safety. However, some believe Polonio was ill-treated to the extreme, which caused her death. As a result, San Pedro police viewed the case and said they would send the file to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for advice.
Police News
Jasmine Hartin returns to court to face drug possession and common assault charges
Canadian national Jasmine Hartin was back at the San Pedro Magistrate Court on Thursday, January 26th, to answer charges of Possession of a Controlled Drug and Common Assault. The court session involved presentations by Hartin's legal team on the charge of Possession of a Controlled Drug after the Common Assault case was adjourned to March 8th. The presentations and submissions by Hartin's attorney Ronell Gonzalez regarding the drug charge, attempted to dispute the evidence from the prosecution. The session spanned for almost two hours before the matter was adjourned to March 15th by the Magistrate.
Police News
Four men remanded for piracy near Ambergris Caye’s waters
Four men accused of reportedly trying to commit piracy on the waters near San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, were arraigned at the Belize City Magistrate Court on Thursday, January 19th. The accused include 31-year-old Louis Campos, 26-year-old Wilbert Gabourel, 25-year-old Justin Campos, and 25-year-old Alexander Fitzgibbon. According to the police report, the incident occurred some seven miles north of Ambergris Caye. The men accused of piracy were in pursuit of a 24-year-old Tryrone Usher.
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
American nursing student visiting San Pedro killed in tragic shooting incident
An unexpected shooting incident at San Pedro’s central park on Friday, December 30th left an American nursing student dead. The deceased was identified as 23-year-old J’Bria Michelle Bowens from Indianapolis, IN, USA. Bowens, who it is believed was not the intended target, was rushed to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, but was pronounced dead on arrival. San Pedro police have a couple of persons in custody, while Commissioner of Police (ComPol) Chester Williams has travelled to the island to coordinate the policing efforts to make an arrest in connection with this serious incident that threatens the island’s strongest income earner-tourism.
Police News
San Pedro stabbing victim said to be the aggressor
A stabbing incident on Christmas Day, December 25th, left 28-year-old Marlon Thompson with stab injuries to his back. Police responded to the incident and detained a minor reportedly involved in the incident, while Thompson was taken to the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. The minor was taken into custody, but according to reports from the San Pedro Police, he was not held liable because Thompson was the alleged aggressor.
