Kareem Hamilton is Charged for Kidnapping of Female Minor  

On Friday, we led our newscast with an upsetting story involving a foiled kidnapping attempt.  An individual, whose criminal history includes a guilty plea for an unnatural crime, was apprehended by Belize City police after he snatched a five-year-old girl from a trampoline in her yard.  The harrowing incident happened on Thursday, while twenty-five-year-old Shandy Pech was about to take a bath.  Her daughter was outside in the yard playing when a male suspect, identified as Kareem Hamilton, appeared on the scene and attempted to abduct the minor.  It wasn’t until another child who witnessed the ordeal reported to Pech what had taken place that she sprung into action and was able to catch up with the would-be kidnapper.  When she did so, Hamilton reportedly refused to let go of the child, telling Pech that the little girl was his niece.  That’s when the mother began screaming for assistance.  Several neighbors responded and were able to take away the minor, while subduing Hamilton.  Earlier today, Assistant Commissioner of Police Hilberto Romero told reporters that thirty-three-year-old Kareem Hamilton had been arrested and charged for the crime of kidnapping.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Thursday, May sixteenth, 2024, Shandy Pech reported that she was at home when she was alerted that a male person had taken her daughter.  She immediately responded and followed a male person who took her daughter.  An investigation was carried out and persons assisted her in the area and a person was detained.  After the investigation, one Kareem Hamilton was detained, thirty-three years [old] has been arrested and charged for the crime of kidnapping.”

 

Paul Lopez

“Sir, is this individual known by police for this type of behavior?”

 

Hilberto Romero

He’s known to police, yes.

 

Reporter

“Has he tried to kidnap a child before?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“No, he had an incident with a child before.”

 

Kareem Hamilton appeared unrepresented before the lower court this afternoon where he was charged with on count of kidnapping and has since been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until July twenty-third.