Belize City was shaken by a brutal murder on Thursday night. Carlos Avelar, a sixty-one-year-old mechanic, was tragically gunned down on Coney Drive around 8:15 p.m. Police arrived swiftly after receiving a report and discovered Avelar’s lifeless body. Witnesses recounted that just minutes before, two men on a motorcycle approached Avelar. One of them pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots, fatally wounding him. Avelar was rushed to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Authorities are now delving into this horrific attack, determined to find justice for Avelar and provide answers to his grieving family.
Category: Crime
Two Men to Stand Trial for the Murder of “Bobo Youth” Elwin Lewis
Two men accused of the March 2024 murder of Elwin Lewis, also known as “Bobo Youth,” are back behind bars after being ordered to stand trial. Travis Herbert and Robert Taylor appeared in court this morning, where a Senior Magistrate committed them to stand trial at the June session of the High Court. The prosecutor presented ten statements and several exhibits, including autopsy details and DVDs, which will be used in the trial. The men were given an alibi warning and asked to provide witness names. Herbert named three women, including his sister, as alibi witnesses. Robert Emmanuel Arnold, twenty-one, was also charged with Lewis’s murder, following Herbert’s arraignment in May 2024. Both men were remanded to Belize Central Prison, unable to be granted bail due to the nature of the offense. Arnold inquired about the bail process, and the Senior Magistrate explained that he would need to seek bail through the High Court with an attorney’s assistance. The incident occurred on March twenty-second, 2024, when police responded to a shooting on Antelope Street Extension. They found a grey Lifan motorcycle and expended shells at the scene. Initial investigations revealed that Lewis was shot by two men on another motorcycle. He was taken to K.H.M.H. but later died from his injuries. Police reviewed surveillance footage and identified Herbert as one of the shooters. The investigation continues as the case moves to trial.
St. John’s Credit Union Responds to Claims of Missing Member Funds
Saint John’s Credit Union (SJCU) is refuting allegations of missing member funds that have been circulating on social media. Recently, a woman claimed that around fifteen thousand dollars disappeared from her cousin’s account and accused SJCU of being unhelpful and dismissive. Tonight, SJCU responded, stating they are investigating the matter and have made several attempts to assist the members. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Last week, a frustrated family member of a St. John’s Credit Union customer took to social media with serious accusations. She claimed that over fifteen thousand dollars had vanished from her cousin’s account, with no transaction record to explain the missing funds. She demanded SJCU clarify where the money went. However, SJCU responded, stating there is no record showing that this money ever existed in the account.
Daisy Dawson, General Manager, St. Johns Credit Union
“The credit union went ahead. We did her checks, and we went as way back as to when the member opened the account. And so we checked the entire history and at no point was that in the account. So we have all the trail, all the paper trail to show what was going on in that account. And it shows, it was mostly inbound. There was nothing going out of the account. And so fifteen thousand could not just disappear out of a member account because there are processes that you have to go through taking monies out of that account.”
General Manager Daisy Dawson stated that SJCU immediately contacted the member upon hearing the accusations and launched an investigation. The member was asked to provide evidence, such as a receipt, showing the funds were in her account, but she has not done so. Dawson emphasized that SJCU has robust systems in place to document every dollar’s movement in a member’s account.
“The credit union can go back and say, let me see an audit trail on this member account. We also look at the history with the online banking. That will point to you how many times that person has been logging into their online banking, at what time, at what date, and then you can cross check it to see, but they check it on the state and when we crash, check in the system. But the balance was the same. So at what point, and so we asked to provide, do you have a screenshot to show that this was the balance so that we can do or, or check. There was none. If there are receipts that you said that you have that you don’t see it in your account, bring the receipt so we can cross check again.”
SJCU will be forwarding a comprehensive report of the member’s account, including the transaction history, to the Central Bank of Belize for review.
“Firstly, we are answerable to our regulator who is the Central Bank. Two, we do year external audits, and three, we have internal personnel in terms of an internal auditor and a compliance officer who do checks on member’s account. And of course there are processes in place in terms of when a member is going to access their account. We have a system set up, I’m not sure if this is linked to her account, where members get alert via a text message when you’re doing a withdrawal or a deposit from your account. Also, the member has online banking and so that member can go in at any time to check their balances, and if they have any issue, they can reach out to the credit union right away.”
Daisy Dawson
“We are still hoping that the member will reach out to us, because as a member, you’re a patron of the credit union and we take these things seriously, you know, and so we have to be careful when we are making allegation because. St. John’s is a reputable organization. We have been around going now for eighty years, and we have provided so much to our community. We have done so much for the Belizean public, and we take these things seriously, not lightly.”
Britney Gordon for News Five.
Couple Accused of Attempted Murder Granted Bail After 4 Months on Remand
Tonight, a couple accused of attempting to murder a Lords Bank man in 2024 has been granted bail after spending over three months behind bars. Stacey Letricia Antonio, a twenty-three-year-old BDF soldier, and her common-law husband, William Alexander Flowers, faced charges of attempted murder, dangerous harm, and use of deadly means of harm against twenty-year-old Evan Pook Jr., along with theft of his cellphone. The couple was arraigned on December sixth, 2024, in Belize City Magistrate’s Court. Today, after exactly four months and sixteen days on remand, they appeared before the newly appointed Magistrate Ludlow Black. The prosecutor, a sergeant, stated he had no objection to bail, leading Magistrate Black to grant them bail at five thousand dollars each, plus one surety. Conditions for their bail include no interference or communication with the complainant, maintaining a distance of one hundred yards from him, and reporting every Friday at Ladyville Police Station. The stabbing incident occurred on December third, 2024, in the Lords Bank area, Ladyville, when Pook Jr. was attacked and stabbed multiple times while walking through a feeder road. His cellphone was stolen during the attack, leading to the arrest of Antonio and Flowers. The motive for the stabbing remains unknown.
Swift Brothers Out on Bail After Alleged Machete and Knife Attack in St. Ann’s Village
Tonight, three brothers from Saint Ann’s Village are out on bail following an alleged machete and knife attack at their family yard. The details of the incident remain unclear, but the brothers—Richard Swift thirty-two, Neil Swift twenty-six, and Deitrick Swift, forty—faced separate charges in court today. Richard Swift was first to be arraigned, charged with obstructing a police officer during his brother Deitrick’s arrest for traffic offenses. Richard pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of one thousand dollars. His next court date is June twelfth, 2025. Neil Swift faced a charge of aggravated assault with a knife against Delwin Jones, alleged to have occurred on April twenty-first, 2025. Neil also pleaded not guilty and was granted bail of two thousand dollars. He is due back in court on June twentieth, 2025. Deitrick Swift was charged with aggravated assault with a machete and three traffic offenses: driving an unlicensed motor vehicle, driving without insurance, and driving without a valid license. Deitrick pleaded guilty to the traffic offenses, resulting in fines totaling two hundred and fifteen dollars and a one-year driving disqualification. He pleaded not guilty to the assault charge, with his next court date set for June thirtieth, 2025. Deitrick explained that the confrontation stemmed from men disrespecting his wife near his property, affecting his business and livelihood. Despite his plea, Magistrate Black emphasized the seriousness of driving illegally and the potential harm it could cause. The Swift brothers’ legal battles continue as they await their respective court dates.
Former Murder Suspect Faces New Charges for Sexual Assault and Wounding
Emerson Garnett, a thirty-four-year-old from Freetown Road, Belize City, faced new charges of sexual assault and wounding in the Belize City Magistrate’s Court this morning. Previously a murder suspect, Garnett has been in custody since Sunday. He appeared before Magistrate Ludlow Black without representation and pleaded not guilty to both charges. The allegations stem from a domestic incident on April twentieth, 2025, where Garnett allegedly grabbed the private parts of a thirty-eight-year-old woman and caused her injury. The victim, who was once in a relationship with Garnett, reported that he tried to hug her, and when she refused, he threatened to kill her and himself. Garnett then allegedly assaulted her, punching her several times in the face. Despite hearing the victim’s account, Garnett maintained his innocence. Magistrate Black informed him that he need not explain further since he had pleaded not guilty. With no objection to bail from the prosecutor, conditions were set for Garnett’s release, including no contact with the victim or her family, staying one hundred yards away from her, and reporting to the Queen Street Police Station every Friday. Garnett met bail and is due back in court on June eleventh, 2025.
Belize City Mom Out on Bail for Alleged Cyberbullying of Ex-Co-worker
Tonight, a Belize City mother is out on bail after being accused of cyberbullying a former co-worker. Armida Adela Gonzalez, a 49-year-old self-employed resident of West Street, Belize City, faced charges under the Cybercrime Act for allegedly sending obscene and vulgar computer data to harass Kiara Middleton. Gonzalez appeared unrepresented before Magistrate Ludlow Black, who read her the single charge. She pleaded not guilty. The prosecutor requested bail conditions, including that Gonzalez must stay 100 yards away from Middleton and not interfere with her. Gonzalez explained that they used to work together but no longer do. Bail was set at $500, which Gonzalez met. Her next court date is June 12, 2025.
PG Man Murdered; Police Charge Two
The Coc family of Punta Gorda experienced a horrific Easter holiday when one of their loved ones was brutally murdered. Around nine on Good Friday morning, Jeremiah Coc’s body was found in the Indianville area. Police were called to a spot behind a house on Mahogany Street, where they discovered Coc with multiple chop wounds to his neck and back. Today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero informed reporters that Coc had been socializing before his murder. The two individuals charged are twenty-seven-year-old construction worker Axel Zetino and a seventeen-year-old Guatemalan.
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division
“On Friday, the 18th of April, 2025, around 8:55 a.m., Punta Gorda Police responded to the discovery of a body on Mahogany Street in Punta Gorda. Upon their arrival, they saw the lifeless body of a male person with several chop wounds. The person was identified as Jeremiah Coc of Punta Gorda. An investigation was carried out, which revealed that Coc was along several persons at a bar drinking. Thereafter, they left and thereafter his body was discovered. Investigation has led to the arrest of Axel Zetino and a 17-year-old who were jointly charged with the crime of murder.”
Britney Gordon
“Is there any motive?”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“They were drinking and they had some dispute. That is what led to the chopping incident.”
Reporter
“Sir, is there any connection between the deceased and who was arrested?
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“ Yes. They know each other. They were at the bar together.
Britney Gordon
“Do we have any insight into what they might have been arguing?
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“No, we don’t have that information.”
Britney Gordon
“And are the people charged known to police?”
A.C.P. Hilberto Romero
“Yes, they’re known to police.”
U.S. National Hijacks Tropic Air flight; Hijacker Dead
News Five provided live broadcast this morning as law enforcement authorities tracked a Tropic Air flight that was hijacked by a U.S. national leaving Corozal. He has been identified as forty-nine-year-old Akinyela Sawa Taylor. A passenger on board the aircraft shot and killed Taylor moments after the plane landed at the Phillip Goldson International Airport. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more.
This is the flight path of an aircraft hijacked by forty-nine-year-old U.S. national Akinyela Sawa Taylor. Armed with a knife, Taylor demanded that Howell Grange, a pilot for Tropic Air, fly him out of the country. The flight had fourteen passengers, including an infant. Flight tracking shows the pilot made a sharp turn after takeoff, circled around, then headed south. South of Belize City, the plane turned east over the Caribbean Sea, circled Caye Caulker and San Pedro Town, then returned over land near the Phillip Goldson International Airport. It went back out to sea before landing at the airport an hour and a half after leaving Corozal. A licensed firearm holder on board shot and killed Taylor moments after landing. These Cessna Caravan planes can travel over a thousand miles in ideal conditions, but the pilot told Taylor they were low on fuel, according to Commissioner of Police Chester Williams.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“And at one point in time they demanded that he landed at an area where they can refuel. Our greatest concern was the fuel consumption of the plane. The information we were getting was that the fuel was depleting, and the plane was still at a very high altitude moving.”
Law enforcement, medical, and fire personnel were ready at the Belize City Municipal Airport in case the pilot landed there. Taylor had stabbed three people on board: Jair Castaneda, a Tropic Air employee, Fitzgerald Brown, and the pilot, Howell Grange. Images and videos from the plane show a severely injured Castaneda, while the other passengers huddled at the back of the plane.
Chester Williams
“So we had deployed at the International, Belize City Municipal, Caye Caulker, San Pedro, Dangriga and Even the Coastal Road, because there is an airstrip there. We did this to ensure that if the plane landed, we would have been able to intercept the hijacker.”
When the plane made its second pass over the Caribbean Sea, it had only twenty minutes of fuel left. Authorities then called in Astrum Helicopter to track the aircraft.
Chester Williams
“We were now thinking outside the box, knowing the fuel was depleting we were hoping we didn’t have to move from a search and rescue to search and recovery. The think was for the helicopter to follow the plane to see where it would land so if they received to crash land the plane in the sea or one of the islands we would have been there quickly to respond.”
Reporter
“Can you tell us about what you found out about the hijacker and what was his motive?”
Luke Martin, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Belize
“We don’t have any information on him at all. We know that his name was being released. We don’t know what was his intention, why he wanted to go back to the U.S., the reason of it. So, right now we don’t have any information on that.”
Paul Lopez
“So you have confirmed that he was trying to get back to the U.S. on this plane?”
Luke Martin
“That is reports that we have heard, but we have nothing direct on that. This is something that the Belize authorities, we trust them to resolve and look at well. We share that commitment with them to make sure Belize is safe, airlines are safe, tourist are safe, borders are safe and secure, this is all part of that as well. It highlights that important event of everybody investing their time and money.”
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“There was an issue last night from what I was told at the freezone involving the same person. So he seems to be a problematic person, and so that is what we know about him a part from the fact that he is a U.S. veteran.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez
U.S. Department of State on Plane Hijacking
During a State Department press briefing this afternoon, spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed the Tropic Air hijacking by a U.S. national in Belize. Bruce confirmed that the Department of State is aware of the situation. We also spoke with Public Relations Officer Luke Martin of the U.S. Embassy in Belize about the report the embassy will send to its U.S. counterparts.
Reporter
“An attempted hijacking of an airplane internally in Belize, Tropic Air. It involved an alleged hijacker who is a U.S. citizen, according to law enforcement report, he was fatally shot. He has been identified as a U.S. citizen and passport holder. Does the U.S. have any information on this?”
Tammy Bruce, Spokesperson, U.S. Department of State
“Not yet. We watched that unfold like everyone else. It is horrifying. We are grateful, like all of us are, that this did not turn into a mass casualty event with over a dozen people on the plane. We know a few details. We don’t know much more. As I was working on the briefing that came across my timeline. It came across yours. It is terrifying. But thank God. We don’t know about injuries and any other details, so we cant comment. But we know there was effective law enforcement on the ground and that is all I have for you now. But obviously we are watching it now.”
Paul Lopez
“What do you have to send or say to your counterparts in the U.S. at this point? What is the next step?”
Luke Martin, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Belize
“I really think that highlighting the importance of Belize. Belize is a regional partner. It is important to Central America and the Caribbean. We want to keep ensuring that we have traction and connections without law enforcement colleagues here as well.”
Paul Lopez
“What do we know about his family members in the U.S., where he originated or what state.”
Luke Martin
“We don’t have that information. We don’t know his situation, other than the name.”
Paul Lopez
“Will the embassy be working with the local authority to do a thorough background check.”
Luke Martin
“Investigation will happen, but this is in Belize so the Belize authorities will handle that as well.”