The island’s police department is investigating an armed robbery, involving at least three tourists some 12.5 miles north of San Pedro Town. The incident reportedly took place around midday on Friday, December 20th, when the victims were robbed at gunpoint of their personal belongings and an undisclosed amount of cash. No one was hurt and police have since increased their patrol in the area to make an arrest soon.

Unofficial reports indicate that the perpetrators could be ‘Playadores’ beachcombers who roam that area of the island in search of ‘wet drops,’ or drugs that at times wash ashore. It is believed that the tourists became a target when they wandered near the area allegedly frequent by the so-called beachcombers.

There are no official details about the incident, but according to a witness, the robbers shot their guns into the air and made the persons lay on the ground. They proceeded to take their belongings (cell phones, jewelry, and money). It is also alleged that other persons were robbed, including some Belizean fishermen, but police could not confirm this.

As the investigation continues into this armed robbery, the San Pedro Police Formation wants to inform the public that they are working hard to find the culprits and bring them to justice. They also note that security on the island continues to be heightened, and both residents and visitors alike should feel secure.

Click here to read the rest of the article in the San Pedro Sun

Robbers Hold Up Visitors On North Ambergris

They went to fish on the north end of Ambergris Caye, but what a family of American vacationers got was a terrifying encounter with four masked robbers. It happened 12.5 miles north of the town, and this morning Sr. Superintendent Romero told us that two sets of visitors were robbed on the north end. Additional personnel have been deployed to the area.

Sr. Superintendent Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, NCIB
"On Friday the 20th day of December 2019 around 10:00 am there were two robberies north of San Pedro town, about 13 miles up the coast where two tourists that were with other persons were on golf carts, in that area they were approached by four armed male persons wearing masks the persons asked them to lay on the ground and they proceeded o rob them. They were robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash and personal belongings thereafter at some point one of the male persons fired a shot as a warning so that they leave the particular area. An investigation is ongoing into this matter at this time."

Reporter
"What kind of police presence is there in that area of San Pedro?"

Sr. Superintendent Hilberto Romero
"Well, there is a patrol that goes up in that area. We have sent additional personnel and investigators to deal with that robbery."

The culprits stole assorted jewellery, fishing gear, cash and credit card all of a total value of $17, 635 USD from the two golf carts that were robbed.

The officer commanding San Pedro says that the visitors went into the area with no guide, seemingly wandering and as such became perfect targets for criminal elements in the area.

Channel 7

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U.S. Tourists are Targeted by Armed Robbers in North End of San Pedro

Two groups of U.S. nationals were robbed on the north end of San Pedro on Friday morning. Visitor Paul Maurl reported that around ten a.m., he and his family left a resort in San Pedro to go fishing on the northern tip of the island. On their return to the resort, four masked men armed with guns and machetes exited the bushes and rob them of their belongings. The culprits stole an assortment of jewellery, fishing gear, cash and credit card – all to a total value of sixteen thousand, four hundred and sixty-five U.S. dollars.  While the Maurl family was being robbed, American national Mark Knaus and Belizean manager Miguel Gongora of Belmopan drove up in their golf cart. They too were targeted and robbed of their jewellery, electronics, tools and other personal documents. Senior Superintendent Hilberto Romero spoke of the investigation into the armed robberies.

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“There were two robberies north of San Pedro Town, about thirteen miles up the coast where two tourists that were with other persons were on golf carts in the area. They were approached by four armed male persons wearing masks; the persons asked them to lay on the ground and they proceeded to rob them. They were robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash and personal belongings. Thereafter, at some point, one of the male persons fired a shot as a warning so that they leave the particular area. Investigation is ongoing into this matter at this time.”

Reporter

“What kinda police presence is there in that area of San Pedro?”

Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero

“Well there is a patrol that goes up in that area and we have sent additional personnel and investigators to deal with that robbery.”

Channel 5