Police in Punta Gorda are investigating a case of rape. On Monday, May 13, 2024, a woman and her 13-year-old granddaughter visited the Punta Gorda Police Station and reported that on the 7th and 10th of May this year, a male teacher had sexual relations with her in the school bathroom. Police conducted an investigation, after which they formally arrested and charged a 50-year-old Belizean teacher from Toledo District for two counts of rape of a child.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at about 3:30 p.m., a woman and her 15-year-old daughter visited the San Pedro Police Station and reported that on Friday, May 3, 2024, she went to the apartment of a 33-year-old male person in San Pedro Town, where he had sexual relations with her against her will. Police have since detained the 33-year-old Belizean manager of San Pedro Town as investigations continue.
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
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.”
Son
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.”
Saida Perez
Another resident said she was talking to a neighbour when she heard a barrage of gunshots.
Voice of: Neighbour
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
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.”
Hilberto Romero
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
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.”
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
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
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.”
Last week, the cartel warfare reached new levels in Quintana Roo, Mexico and itcreated a sense of insecurity for some Belizeans who travel there frequently. To discourage the increase in cartel activity along the northern border, Belizean law enforcement authorities have also enhanced their presence on the Belizean side of that border. Today, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams explained that the operations span the northern districts, particularly along the riverbank. And in response to a suggestion by the Leader of the Opposition, Moses Shyne Barrow, Williams explained why civil society cannot be included in the process.
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We have certainly stepped up our presence in the area. I did a tour of the area over the weekend. I made several observations and I will be putting my observations into a document and submit to Cabinet with recommendations in terms of what additional. Efforts I think that we can put into the area to enhance the level of security for our people so there is where we are right now. This is a very highly sensitive operation that we’re conducting and because of the nature of the operations, we cannot include NGOs or persons who are not a part of the security apparatus in the planning for several reasons. One may also has to do with the security of those people. Because once people get to understand who are parties to a plan against them, then they become a target. And so we would not do that. And likewise, to be able to ensure confidentiality in terms of how the operations is going to be executed. Again, there has to be confidentiality because the security of our troops on the ground is important. This is a very highly sensitive operation that we’re conducting and because of the nature of the operations, we cannot include NGOs or persons who are not a part of the security apparatus in the planning for several reasons. One may also has to do with the security of those people. Because once people get to understand who are parties to a plan against them, then they become a target. And so we would not do that. And likewise, to be able to ensure confidentiality in terms of how the operations is going to be executed. Again, there has to be confidentiality because the security of our troops on the ground is important.”
Williams said that contrary to Barrow’s comment that the government has done little to address the issue in the north, the Prime Minister and the relevant ministries have been receptive and have supported the police in the effort and that they have always done so.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“We remain in constant communication with our Mexican counterparts. And again, I must say, I must commend our Prime Minister and the Minister of Home Affairs and the Minister of Defense for the input that they have been putting into this operation and the support. I can say that whenever we approach the Prime Minister for equipment or resources to be able to carry out our mandate, the Prime Minister is always willing to assist. Likewise, Minister Marin and Minister Musa have been with us in on the frontline. We met, we discussed the issues and we planned in terms of how we’re going to execute and we’re doing just that.”
Stake Bank Enterprises Limited, presently in receivership, is suing businessman Michael Feinstein, a director of the company. A notice of application for interim injunction was filed in the High Court on May first. The injunction is being sought to restrain Feinstein, or his agents, from transferring titles to a little over twenty-three acres of reclaimed land, an extension of Stake Bank Island. The application also seeks to restrain Feinstein from transferring other assets, including machinery and equipment belonging to the company. Those assets include a 2023 Toyota Land Cruiser, a Beech King aircraft valued at one point five million dollars, and a list of other items with a combined value of three point eight million dollars.
Former Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony “Boots” Martinez says we will be challenging his rejected Gilroy Usher recall petition in court. We have been following the story for weeks now. After Martinez gathered and submitted signatures on a petition to recall the current area representatives, the Elections and Boundaries Department determined that his petition did not meet the required number of approved signatures needed. Martinez, through his attorney, Richard Dickie Bradley, wrote back to the Chief Elections Officer challenging one hundred and seventy-five rejected signatures. He challenged Josephine Tamai to take further steps to verify those signatures, as they would be enough to trigger a recall process. Well, Tamai has since written back to Martinez’s attorney, saying that she is not empowered by law to redo the exercise. Tamai further noted that she is not required by law to undergo any additional exercise, such as using a justice of the peace to verify the signature. Martinez says he takes offense to the Chief Elections Officer’s response.
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Former Port Loyola Area Rep.
“First offense I take to that, as you all have a copy of the letter, nothing was asked to redo any exercise. What was asked was to do your job as to verify the signature as the law stipulates. WE never mih the ask elections and boundaries to redo no exercise, we the say do your job and verify the petition. I don’t know if the chief elections officer is suffering from foot in mouth syndrome based on her letter to the governor general and based on her letter here, her response here. How letter to the governor general said, all signatures on the petition have been duly verified against the elections and boundaries department record of registered electors for Port Loyola electoral division. No way in the law talks about where you should verify from. The law talks about you must verify. The short title to the. Nobody the ask you for no help Ms. Tamai. We the ask you to do your job. The law says you must verify the signature, verify got a meaning. Then you the talk about noting in the law say, you say further more I am advised the act does not require the Chief Elections and Boundaries officer to undergo any exercise by using a Justice of Peace to verify the signature.”
The former Port Loyola area representative says he is preparing to file a legal claim before the High Court by Thursday. Martinez is challenging the Chief Elections Officer’s decision to take no further steps in verifying the signatures that have been rejected. He says that he is being represented by attorneys Richard “Dickie” Bradley and Dean Barrow. But, with the general elections set for 2025, will this be a case that drags out until it is no longer relevant? Martinez says he thinks the court is reasonable enough to know that the matter must be heard within a certain time frame.
Anthony “Boots” Martinez, Former Area Rep., Port Loyola
“I think that is the motion they want to go through, but I think the court is reasonable to know that there is a timeframe and reasonable to know that there has to be remedy in terms of time, this is an urgent situation. I nuh the tek the court lightly, but most of the time why these things happen, for the sake of it poor people don’t have the representative, the wherewithal to fight and go to the end, because these things cost.”
Paul Lopez
“Are you the one, is it you that is funding this undertaking or is it the party?”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“Me and the people of Port Loyola, nuh no party. I think members of the party have of the party have some fundamental differences with it, for their view but that is not the view of the people of Port Loyola.”
Paul Lopez
“Clearly you have two top attorneys on your side, and it will cost you a lot. Where will you get the funds from?”
Anthony “Boots” Martinez
“First and foremost, I need to remind people, I am a pensioner, handsomely paid four time representative to start with and all of that happened due to the will of the people of Port Loyola. My pension is higher than that of an elected representative you know. Plus, I am sixty years old and getting social security pension to. And part of getting social security pension is because the people of Port Loyola keep me in a job so long so that I qualify so that I can invest on them.”
