Murder Suspect Released

The manhunt continues for the murderer of Maria Antonia Plaza Gomez as last night's apprehension of a murder suspect turned out to be a bust. The man who was detained in Caye Caulker and brought to San Pedro late last night for questioning was able to provide to the San Pedro Police Department enough evidence that he is a new visitor to Belize. According to Police, the man was very cooperative and shortly after his detainment he was released and transported back to the island of Caye Caulker. The Police Department continues its intensive search for more evidence for the possible identification of Gomez's murderer.

No Charges Removed Against Sergeant Reyes who Shot and Killed Cpl. Gavin Sanchez

  In the controversial case against Sergeant Paulino Reyes, it is now known that no one will be charged for the shooting death of Police Corporal Gavin Sanchez, who went down in a hail of gunfire earlier this year.

    The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has decided that there is no cause for action and Reyes will not be charged for Sanchez’s death.  The cop on cop violence occurred after three a.m. on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at the living quarters for cops behind the San Pedro Police Formation on Ambergris Caye. Both cops got into an argument at Wet Willies where Reyes was performing ‘extra duties’ and Sanchez was socializing.

     After the argument, Corporal Sanchez was escorted to the stationhouse where, according to Assistant Commissioner of Police Miguel Segura, other officers heard Sanchez shout that he would “kill that boy.” It is believed that one of the key pieces of evidence was in a text message that Sanchez sent to the Officer Commanding the San Pedro Formation hours before the shooting in which he indicated similar intentions. Later that night, Sanchez was found wearing a white bullet proof vest and in a pool of his own blood outside Sergeant Reyes’ room. (from News 5 Belize City)

Computers Donated to Police and Fire Dept.

Councilor Joseph Elijio delivers computer to Mr. Jerome Garcia of the S.P.F.D.

    Both the San Pedro Police Department and the San Pedro Fire Department received a generous donation from an island resident who wishes to remain anonymous. With the help of Town Councilor Mr. Joseph Elijio, the donor supplied four refurbished computers with the intention for them to be donated to any community enhancement projects.

    Today, Tuesday, October 05, 2010, Mr. Elijio delivered one computer to each the Fire and Police Departments. A third computer has been donated to the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) San Pedro Office and Mr. Elijio is still waiting to find a suitable recipient for the fourth computer.

    Officer in Charge of The San Pedro Police Department, Dennis Arnold, commented to Ambergris Today that he is very grateful for the donation which will come in good use as the expansion of his personnel require more hardware to assist with operations at the department.

    San Pedro Fire Chief, Mr. Jerome Garcia was also very pleased with the new computer for his department as he stated would also be an asset in the department’s daily operations. 

Officer Dennis Arnold accepts computer from Councilor Joseph Elijio

Body of Officer Sanchez taken to City

Police Officer Shooting Update

Sources within the Police Department and witnesses have informed Ambergris Today that Officer Sanchez was drinking while off duty at Wet Willy’s Bar where he encountered Sgt. Paulino Reyes who was on duty. After an argument involving Sanchez at the bar commenced, Sgt Reyes called the San Pedro Police Station for assistance to remove him from the premises. This is when two BDF soldiers arrived at Wet Willy’s and took Sanchez back to the Police Station. Officer Sanchez had by then exchanged threatening words with Reyes and officers at the station. As Reyes arrived at the station and returned to his room at the police barracks, he was assaulted by Sanchez who clubbed him on the head with an iron rod. Sanchez proceeded to load his gun and that is when Sgt. Reyes was forced to fire his weapon at Sanchez in self defense, which fatally injured him. The body of Officer Sanchez was taken to Belize City at about 1:15p.m.

Corporal Gavin Sanchez

Police Officer Shot by One of his Own

As residents of Ambergris Caye woke up this morning they were shocked to learn that a Police Officer had been shot at about 3:00 in the morning. According to reports by officials of the department, Officer Gavin Sanchez was shot as he pulled his gun on a member of his own Police Department, Sergeant Paulino Reyes. Unofficial reports indicate the Officer Sanchez was under the influence of alcohol and that he confronted Sgt. Reyes at the Police Barracks located behind the San Pedro Police Department. An argument ensued where Stg. Reyes was forced to open fire at officer Sanchez as he was first to draw his gun on him. Neighbors in the area tell us that they were awakened by a series of gun shots that came from the Police Barracks. Officer Sanchez has been confirmed dead. More details as they become available.

Police Crash Truck into Fence

At about 4:45a.m. on Monday, March 01, Ambergris Today arrived first at the scene of what appeared to be a traffic accident. The police pick-up truck crashed into the fence of the San Pedro RC School on Tarpon Street. According to an eye witness, the police car was speeding on Pescador Drive heading to Tarpon Street and appeared to have an injured person on the back. The injured person was then transported the San Pedro Poly Clinic. For reasons not yet made clear to us, the police officer who was driving the vehicle crashed into the fence. Read more on Thursday’s edition of Ambergris Today.

Police Cadet Fundraiser

The San Pedro Police Cadet Youth Corp is a group of 30 civil-minded children who meet at the police station three times per week to perform drills, participate in team sport events and to conduct community service projects. They are trained and observed under the guidance of the Police officer in charge of Community Policing.

This group of youths should be commended and praised for their commitment to the community of San Pedro and to youth in general – they are working towards a better San Pedro and a better Belize.

The group has received a kind donation (from a SACNW member) of material to tailor their uniforms, and they must now raise funds in order to have the uniforms sewn. Please show your support to the Police Cadet Youth Corp program in San Pedro by purchasing a $5.00 raffle ticket which will assist the cadets in fund raising and will offer you a chance to win the prize – A brand new Acer Aspire One notebook computer.

The drawing will be on August 12, 2009, at the regular monthly South Ambergris Caye Neighborhood Watch meeting and the lucky winner will be notified and does not need to be present to win. To purchase a ticket please contact PC Tun at the San Pedro Police Station or telephone him at 627-9478; or contact a Police Youth Cadet.

Each ticket sold by an authorized cadet will have special stamp on it and the letter will be validated by a Justice of the Peace. Prize is a lightweight – 2.3 lbs, Mini-note pad – only 8.9 inches – Full color screen, stereo speakers, microphone, web cam, wi-fi, 1 GB RAM, 160 GB hard drive, SD card reader, 3 x USB slots – Windows XP Home Edition – Value: $1,200 Bze

Good luck! Thank you for supporting your local Police Cadet Youth Corps.