On Monday 4th June, 2012 at 8:48am Independence Police responded to a robbery in progress at the Toledo Teacher's Credit Union Branch (TTCU), Bella Vista Village, Stann Creek District. Barry BARDALEZ, 46yrs, Manager reported that on sometime between 8:30am and 8:45am whilst inside the credit union along with other employees and about twenty customers, when three armed men, two of whom were masked were armed with what appeared to be M16 rifles and the other un-masked armed with what appeared to be a 9MM pistol entered the credit union pointing their firearms at the credit union employees and demanding money.

Fearing for their lives, a cashier at the credit union opened the vault of the credit union, where he opened the safe and the robbers then helped themselves to an un-disclosed amount of Belize and US currency including coins, were placed inside a green military bag. The thieves then made good their escape in a 2008 green Toyota Hilux pick-up truck bearing license plate TOL-C-4051 valued at $75,000.00bcy, property of the credit union. BARDADLEZ then discovered that (2) 9MM pistols brand and serial number unknown with (15) live 9mm rounds each were also stolen valued at $6,500.00bcy. No one was injured.

Whilst police were on investigation on Savannah Road, Independence Village in the vicinity of the Independence High School, they saw a dark blue Isuzu Trooper bearing license plate SC-D-1150 travelling from Independence Village towards Savannah Road and Southern Highway junction that was stopped and searched. At the time the trooper was driven by Nelson BARDALEZ, 42yrs, Taxi-driver of Independence Village and was accompanied by three male persons identified as Oswald YOUNG, 29yrs, Police Constable #510 resident of Unitedville Village, Cayo District; Zachario CUZ, 26yrs, Police Constable of San Marcos Village, Toledo District, both attached to Patrol Branch, Eastern Division (ED) and Romel ELIJIO, 31yrs, Belize Defence Force Corporal assigned to B-Sag and residing at #6700 Sunflower Street, Belize City.

A search of the taxi in their presence resulted in the discovery of a green military bag inside to the rear section of the trooper that contained an un-disclosed amount of Belize and US currency notes and coins. The cash was counted amounting to $34,064.00bcy. Police also detained Bernard LINAREZ aka "hijo", 26yrs, Laborer of Fadden Avenue, Independence Village, Stann Creek District. Police recovered the Toyota Hilux on a feeder road off the Savannah Road and Southern Highway junction. Nelson BARDALEZ, Oswald YOUNG, Zachario CUZ, Romel ELIJIO and Bernard LINAREZ are presently detained pending investigation of Robbery. Police continue to investigate.

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ARREST

Reference robbery of the Toledo Teacher's Credit Union Branch (TTCU), Bella Vista Village, Stann Creek District that occurred on Monday 4th June, on Tuesday 5th June, Police formally arrested and charged Oswald YOUNG, 29yrs, Police Constable #510 of Unitedville Village, CayoDistrict; Sachario CUZ, 26yrs, Police Constable of San Marcos Village, Toledo District and Romel ELIJIO, 31yrs, Belize Defence Force Corporal for the crime of Robbery.

Last edited by Marty; 06/05/12 07:38 PM. Reason: add arrest