Police Officer and Accomplices Arrested for String of Robberies

On Friday, several individuals were arrested and charged following an extensive investigation into a series of robberies that took place across Western Belize between June and October 2024. They are forty-seven-year-old unemployed Belmopan Jonathan Cruz, twenty-five-year-old labourer Robert Tillet, eighteen-year-old call centre agent Elijah Cruz, and forty-one-year-old police officer Eva Dawson. Businesses targeted by these individuals included Country Meat Products Limited, Gas Tomza, and Lopez Pharmacy. ACP Hilberto Romero provided more details on the arrest.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“Based on several robbery reports that were made over a period from June 2024 to present, police have since arrested and charged Jonathan Cruz, forty-seven years for the crime of robbery,  and Jonathan Cruz, along with Eva Dawson, a police officer have jointly been charged with seven counts of conspiracy to commit to robbery.”

 

Reporter

“Sir, we understand that, the last of those robberies, the one that took place on Wednesday,  twenty-third rd October, that at least one of the robbers had on a police uniform. Is that a concern for you? Are you looking into that element of the crime?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, that is a concern or several searches were conducted items were recovered and that is what led to the charges being levied at this time.”

 

Reporter

“At who’s residence?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“At the residence of Jonathan Cruz and Eva Dawson.”

 

Britney Gordon

“So all of these robberies were connected to each other?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“That is correct.”

 

Reporter

“So can we get your commentary on the fact that  it was someone within the realms of the department that’s conspiring to commit these serious crimes.”

 

Hilberto Romero

“Yes, an investigation was curtailed. This police officer has since been charged and taken to court.”