Shootout in Southern Belize; Criminals Escape

Chester Williams

There was a shootout in southern Belize between criminal elements from Belize City and police officers. It started with officers responding to a robbery in Red Bank Village and led to a vehicle chase along on the Southern Highway. But there was an exchange of fire when the vehicle the robbers were travelling in ended up in an accident. The thieves escaped in nearby bushes. Despite searches in the area, police have not been able to catch any of them. While with the Commissioner of Police today, he shared details of the incident.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Police received information of a robbery at Red Bank Village in the Stann Creek District. They were also given a description of the vehicle that the culprits were escaping in. The police eventually caught up with the vehicle and a pursuit took place. That pursuit took police to the six mile junction where the vehicle overturned. After overturning, the occupants of the vehicle exited the vehicle and fired shots at the police and made good their escape in the bushes. Police remained in the area up to this morning hoping that the robbers would come out so that they could be captured, but so far we have not been able to catch up with them.”

Travellers are being cautioned not to pick up any hitchhikers in the area.