Crime - Channel 5 Belize

Chinese Businessman Charged with Obtaining Property by Deception

A Chinese businessman is in trouble with the law after a fellow comrade alleged that he was conned out of almost a quarter million dollars’ worth of drinks. Owner of Ritchie’s Supermarket Limited, and Island City Supermarket Limited, thirty-seven-year-old Wen Yuen Zhen pleaded not guilty to the charge today and was offered bail of ten thousand dollars. The Court Prosecutor, Corporal Humbert Ayala had heavy objections to bail, including that he is a flight risk since he is just a naturalized Belizean and not a born Belizean. Furthermore, Ayala argued that there are no documents before the court to substantiate that Zhen has ties to Belize, but Zhen’s attorney, Immanuel Williams, submitted to the court that Zhen is a businessman with several properties in Belize and has no problem surrendering all his travel documents to the court with any necessary company documents to show his ties Belize. According to Williams, Zhen has been doing business in Belize for over seventeen years and that he has brought a civil suit against the virtual complainant. The magistrate offered Zhen bail of ten thousand dollars, plus one surety of the same, or two sureties of five thousand dollars each. It is alleged that Wen dishonestly obtained an assortment of drinks belonging to Caribbean International Brewery, all to a total of just under a quarter of a million dollars. According to police reports, on December second, 2022, the other Chinese businessman, sixty-two-year-old Kevin Xin of Carmelita Village, Orange Walk and Director of the Caribbean International Brewery Limited, (C.I.B.) reported to them that between April sixth, 2022 and August fifth, 2022, he sold an assortment of alcoholic drinks to Zhen. He said that Zhen paid with two Atlantic Bank cheques, which the bank later informed him could not be processed because a stop order had been made by another person. He said Zhen told him he would check on it, but he has not heard from him and has stopped answering his calls. But Zhen’s attorney, Immanuel Williams says Zhen is suing the brewery and Xin in a civil matter that is already before the court. In that suit, Zhen is asking for the removal of the beers and for the brewery to pay for warehouse storage fees. Williams shared some details on how the two businessmen ended up in court.

Emmanuel Williams, Attorney for Wen Yuen Zhen

“The matter is still in its infancy, so there’s not much I can state about the matter at this time. However, there is an agreement between the complainant and Mr. Zhen, and pursuant to that agreement, there was some bad faith between the parties, and the complaint was lodged, and subsequently my client was charged with the offence of obtaining property by deception. He is not to interfere with the witness and they encourage him not to be within a hundred feet of the witness and to visit the court every Friday until the conclusion of the matter.”

Zhen must appear again in court on July tenth.

Immigration Officer Arrested for Shoving Patron

An immigration officer has been arrested for the crime of wounding, after allegedly assaulting a woman at the western border. Allegations are that on Monday; a Belizean national, was travelling through the western border when she began to feel frustrated at the pace the officers were processing her information. After voicing her discontent with Saul Lisbey, the forty-eight-year-old male clerk, who had yet to stamp her passport, he allegedly approached the woman and shoved her, causing her to fall to the ground. Upon hitting her head, she became unconscious and was rushed to the hospital. On Tuesday, she filed a report against Lisbey, and he was arrested today. On Tuesday, before Lisbey’s arrest, we spoke with C.E.O. of Immigration, Tanya Santos, who told News Five that Lisbey was placed on administrative leave while the investigation transpired. Here’s what she had to say.

On The Phone: Tanya Santos, C.E.O., Immigration

“So, I got a report last night that there was an incident, it may have been an altercation between one of my officers, an immigration officer, and a member of the public who was seeking service there at the Western border. I subsequently saw a post on social media about this incident and further inquired from the officer in charge about the situation who then went to investigate. And later on, between last night and this morning, I was able to confirm that yes, indeed, there was an incident involving an immigration officer and a member of the public in which it appears that she was assaulted. And I say appears because that is yet to be determined.”

Briteny Gordon

“Was a report filed against the officer or has there been any reports of her instigating anything?”

Tanya Santos

“Not to my knowledge. I do not know that she has filed a report as yet. I do not think so, but that is a matter for the police. But I can let you know that we at the Ministry of Immigration have already placed that officer on administrative leave while we conduct our investigations further.”

Britney Gordon

“And was there anyone else involved in the incident?”

Tanya Santos

“No, I have seen footage of the incident itself and apart from other members of the public who were there waiting for their turn to get service. There was no other officer, whether they be from immigration or from what management agency or customs was physically present. We do have and we have seen video footage of the incident itself.”

Britney Gordon

“And have you received an update about the state of the woman?”

Tanya Santos

“I don’t know that she has been released from the. I think it was in San Ignacio. I do know that she has some, an injury to her head. I don’t know if it’s been classified as harm or wounding or anything as yet, but an injury. I’d like to assure the Belizean public and the traveling public that this is not behavior that is tolerated by the ministry of immigration, and that we will take every step to ensure that. We deal with this matter fully and if anybody experiences any abuse or mistreatment by immigration officers or any other officers for that matter to please feel free to get in touch with us at the office in Belmopan to look into these matters because we need to ensure that our services are the best to our public.”

Youth Shot During Double Murder Undergoes Surgery

Police continue to investigate the double murder of Saida Perez and her common-law husband, Morcel Neal of Roaring Creek. The couple was at their home in the Hilltop area of the village on Sunday night when they were targeted. Perez’ fifteen-year-old son was also shot but survived the deadly ordeal. He has undergone surgery to remove a bullet that was lodged in his leg and his prognosis is said to be promising for a full recovery. Perez, a cook, had hoped to be able to provide for her young son since his father had died some years ago. Now that she has also died, his only family ties are his aunt and elder sisters who live in Belmopan. An arrest in this recent incident in Roaring Creek is yet to be made.

Couple Murdered at Home in Roaring Creek; Minor Shot

A man and a woman were murdered inside their small home in the Hilltop area of Roaring Creek just before nine-thirty on Sunday night. A third person, the woman’s fifteen-year-old son, was shot in his leg but survived. He is in the Western Regional Hospital receiving treatment. The incident has come as a shock to the community because the residents say the couple were peaceful residents who have lived there for the past five years. But while police are looking for leads and suspects, they say it has nothing to do with the recent State of Emergency which also saw some residents of Roaring Creek swept up and incarcerated. The victims are Morcel Neal and Saida Perez. Investigators have different perspectives on who the intended target was. Marion Ali visited Roaring Creek today and has that report.

Voice of: First Responder

“He said “they just shot Ms Chaya da back deh,” he said “but I afraid fi goh me one. I want somebody to go with me.” So I tell ah right now because the place is relatively dark.”

Marion Ali, Reporting

The voice that this Roaring Creek resident heard calling out in front of his house last night was that of another resident who heard the shots that had just killed two residents and wounded a minor. The victims, Saida Perez and her common-law husband, Morcel Neal, both forty-seven, were at home when they came under attack. Perez’s fifteen-year-old son was also shot in his leg and is in the Western Regional Hospital. The resident told News Five that he accompanied his neighbour to the murder scene and tried to keep the premises secure for police processing.

Voice of: First Responder

“I went with him and then that is when the other people arrived – a lady who identified herself as the daughter and said she wanted to check for her mother so I tell her “you could go in but try not to contaminate the scene. And it went into the metal house, the zinc house. And that’s where she found her mother.”

Another resident said she was talking to a neighbour when she heard a barrage of gunshots.

Voice of: Neighbour

“I was sitting with the next neighbor. We were talking and we heard like a lot of shots. So I nuh count how much and then I tell her that sound like shots, right? And then she said “I’m going home.” So I tell her go home because I wa lock up.”

Today, Police Commissioner, Chester Williams assured that this attack was not related to the recent state of emergency in which a number of Roaring Creek residents were incarcerated. He and Assistant Commissioner, Hilberto Romero said the incident had to do with a dispute.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“The victims are not known to be involved in drugs or gangs or anything other than the fact that we know that the deceased’s husband was somewhat of an alcoholic. What we’re gathering that there was some dispute with some people yesterday, and that is what may have led to that particular murder. We’re still trying to confirm certain things.”

ASP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Information is that both were at their house at Warren Creek when a person with a firearm entered and fired shots towards Syedah Pierce, causing her fatal injuries. Thereafter, Morcel Neal appeared and he was also shot. We are trying to establish a motive for this murder. The information we have got out that the female was the target. She was shot and when the other person showed up, he was also shot.”

Alicia Perez, who lives in Belmopan, told us that her sister visited them two weeks ago and told them she wanted to see her son through high school.

Voice of: Alicia Perez, Sister of Deceased

“She come here and then she just here, like here, and we was. She was talking about her son that she loved him a lot and she need to work hard for him. And that’s the only because his son father passed away. She was the only one who could help him. She was like two years. She didn’t come here till that day. She come and she was talking to us like, like a normal day and she went.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Three People Detained for Majestic Alley Shooting

On Saturday, a young man was shot while socializing in Majestic Alley in Belize City. Reports are that around ten p.m, twenty-year-old Jahshiel Cervantes was standing in front of a wooden structure when he was approached by someone who fired several shots in his direction. Jahshiel was injured and taken to the K.H.M.H. where he was still recovering today, but was reported to be in a stable condition.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Saturday, fourth day of May 2024 around ten fifteen, there was a shooting in Majestic Alley, Belize City. Police responded where they found Jahshiel Cervantes with a gunshot injury. He was taken to the KHMH where he is in a stable condition at this time. Information is that he was Majestic Alley when a vehicle drove by and an occupant from the vehicle fired shots towards his area and causing his injury. Three persons are in custody and the vehicle is impounded and we’re doing follow up investigation at this time.”

Reporter

“Does he know why anybody would want to shoot him?”

Hilberto Romero

“No, he’s recovering at the KHMH. The suspects will be interviewed, and further information will be obtained.”

Reporter

“How are you able to pinpoint these suspects?”

Hilberto Romero

“The police responded quickly. We had some video footage. A follow up was done. The vehicle was found in an area in Belize City.”

Reporter

”Were they found with the vehicle?”

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, they were found with the vehicle.”

Eugene Gabourel is Shot Near CET Site

There was a shooting in the Gungulung area of Belize City over the weekend. The victim has been identified as forty-seven-year-old Eugene Gabourel, who is no stranger to the law. He was in the vicinity of CET Site along with several other persons when they came under gunfire. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hilberto Romero provided additional details.

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“There was a shooting near CET Site. Police visited [the area] where Eugene Gabourel was seen with one gunshot injury. He was taken to the KHMH where he is now in a stable condition. Information is that he was there along with several other persons working on a vehicle when a male person came by and fired several shots towards the direction. He received a gunshot injury and we are looking for one suspect in regards to this shooting.”

Reporter

“Was he the target?”

Hilberto Romero

“He was along with several other persons, so we are not certain who was the target. There were several persons at the are at the area at the time. No motive at this time.”

Compol: Canela Murder Was Not Drug Related

Late last week, a father of two was killed in Patchakan Village, at a park near his home. Twenty-eight-year-old Benito Canela and his partner Indy Cruz were socializing with a group of family and friends when a gunman opened fire on him. Amidst an increase in violence near the northern border, speculations arose as to whether this murder was a drug-related incident. Today, these speculations were dispelled by Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, who says that the murder was the result of a personal issue.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“Another point I’d like to clarify is the issue with the murder in Patchakan. Again, the leader of the opposition alluded that it is as a result of the narcos and a whole pile of foolishness. I can say to the Belizean people that the young man murder has nothing to do with the narcos or the whole issue that we’re addressing in the north. It has to do with him, and local people from the We have a suspect in mind that we’re looking for at this time. And we’re hoping that we’ll be able to locate that, individual and bring some closure. I also visited that area over the weekend. I spoke to the family of the deceased person and gave them assurance in terms of what we will do.”

Travis Herbert Arraigned for Bobo Youth’s Murder

Twenty-two-year-old Travis Herbert, a construction worker of Iguana Street Extension, has been arrested and charged for the murder of Elwin Lewis, also known as Bobo Youth. This afternoon, Herbert appeared unrepresented before the lower courts where he was read a single charge. No plea was taken from him and due to the nature of the offense, Herbert was denied bail and remanded to custody until July fifth, 2024. It is alleged that Herbert shot and killed Lewis as he was riding a motorcycle on Antelope Street Extension, here in Belize City.

Randy Hyde says His Sons Were Abducted by Their Mother

A father of two is desperately trying to locate his children after they were illegally flown out of the country by their mother on May second. Missing persons reports were issued last Thursday for brothers Asher and Randy Hyde when the Belize Police Department was informed that the siblings had not been returned to their parent who has sole custody of them. According to Randy Hyde Senior, the boys were with their mother, Lesly Reyes, who was visiting from the United States for a few days. Hyde and his ex-wife have been locked in a custody battle over their children.

Randy Hyde Sr., Concerned Parent

“My ex-wife contacted me about three weeks ago, requesting that she had access to the kids for the time that she would be here in Belize. That date was from April twenty-second to Thursday, the second of May. Normally when she comes in the country, I normally accommodate her in regards to spending time and having time with the kids. So when she came on the twenty-second, I turned over the kids to her. I gave her their clothes, along with the kids’ school bags and their devices. Fast-forward to the second of May when she was supposed to bring back the children. I received a text about ten or eleven o’clock from her stating that the kids are not feeling well and that she would take them to the hospital. That raised some red flags for me because my children don’t normally get sick, and she also mentioned that she was going to extend her stay up to Sunday which was yesterday. I told her I had no problem with that, but Thursday was my oldest son’s birthday so I explained to her, “you can have them, but I need to come and pick them up to take them out to get something to eat because it’s RJ’s birthday. I got no response from that text. I called several times, got no response. I figured something was wrong, so what I did, I went to the Immigration Office and I asked him to please give me information in regards to if anybody had come to take out any passports for my children. I found out that passports were taken out for them from June 2022 which is extremely strange because I have the kids’ old passport and I was questioning how that was possible. How could somebody take out passports for the children if they did not turn in the old passports. I was told that they did not know what happened.”

Investigation into Children’s Disappearance is Ongoing

According to Hyde, a report has been filed with Interpol, as well as the Domestic Violence Unit. He also says that Reyes, on a previous occasion, had attempted to abduct the children by crossing the northern border into Mexico.

Randy Hyde Sr., Concerned Parent

“I was given the information that my two children, along with my ex-wife had boarded the plane at eleven o’clock and flown out of the country. It is very concerning because I am trying to figure out, first of all, in regards to the immigration and passports, how did they get a visa and how did they pass through the immigration. Following that evening, the DVU and the Interpol called me and they revealed to me that my ex-wife had produced a false document from the family court stating that she has full custody of the children and I have my documentation here, stating that I have had full custody of both kids from June or July of 2018. So it is very concerning how this can happen. The police have informed me via Interpol that they are preparing their file and when that file is prepared they will send it across to the U.S. to their counterparts for them to put out the Amber Alert and put the police on notice.”