Three Arsonists Destroy Half-a-million Dollars in Vehicles

Ladyville police have identified and taken into custody a suspect in the weekend arson of three vehicles belonging to businessman Bob Hotchandani and his son, Sunjay Hotchandani. The suspect, Manuel Morales, was caught on surveillance footage, barefaced, pouring fuel on one of the vehicles and setting it ablaze. Early Sunday morning, just after five a.m., Morales and two other men arrived by boat in front of Hotchandani’s residence on Princess Margaret Drive. They torched a black Cadillac Escalade, a grey Audi SUV, and a brown Chevy Silverado pickup truck before making their escape by boat. The National Fire Service quickly responded and put out the flames. The total cost of the vehicles is estimated at around half a million Belize dollars, but thankfully, all three were insured.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Regional Commander, Eastern Division

“On Sunday, December 22^nd, 2024, police responded to a report of a vehicle on fire on Princess Margaret Drive.  Upon their arrival, they saw three vehicles engulfed in flames, an Escalade, an Audi, and a Chevy Silverado pickup truck.  The fire department was called and the fire was extinguished.  An investigation was carried out and it revealed that these three vehicles had been parked there from the night and an investigation showed that three persons came to the area, poured a flammable substance on the vehicles and lit them om fire.  We have one person in custody in regard to this investigation.”

Reporter

“Any motive?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“We have not established any motive at this time, an investigation continues.”

 

Reporter

“Is the suspect cooperating?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“I cannot say at this time.  He was brought into custody last night and follow-up work is being done at this time.”

 

Reporter

“Do police know if he has any relation or connection to the men that own the vehicle?”

Hilberto Romero

“Not that I know of, no.”

 

Reporter

“Do you know the value of the vehicles?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“One is valued at two hundred and fifty thousand, the other one at one hundred and fifty thousand, and one at seventy-five thousand.”

 

Reporter

“Do police have other names of suspects that they know?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“We are looking for other persons, we just have one of them in custody so far.”

 

Reporter

“The other persons, did they show on the surveillance footage?”

 

Hilberto Romero

“I will not go into details with that. I know we are looking for other persons.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“Can you confirm that they arrived and fled from the scene in a boat?”

 

Hilberto Romero:

“Yes, I can confirm that they came in a boat, lit the vehicles on fire and then they left on the boat.”