AmbergrisCaye.com Home
Posted By: Marty Jordan Bacchus wanted for Almendarez's murder - 06/15/16 04:01 PM

Jordan Bacchus wanted for murder of Melvin Almendarez

Canadian National Jordan Bacchus is wanted by San Pedro Police for the brutal murder of 31-year-old local athlete Melvin Almendarez. Almendarez was found dead on May 6th at a feeder road in Southern Ambergris Caye. During the initial investigations, Bacchus was detained as the prime person of interest since he was the last person seen with Almendarez. He was also charged for Possession of Controlled Drugs upon his arrest. However, he was later released on bail and has since been at large.

The motive of the murder is yet to be established, but the chain of events that led to Almendarez's death as reported by the police, remain the same. The police are also questioning the reason why the suspect was released on bail before the investigation concluded. Usually a suspect is released after 72 hours without charges if there is a lack of evidence. However, according to Jemmott, in the case of Bacchus, who is a foreigner, the prosecutor could have petitioned the court to further keep him detained in order to avoid flight risk. This could have given the investigating team enough time to solve the case. "Evidence had been found at the suspect's house and a murder investigation was taking place as well. On those grounds, the suspect should have been held in custody until the matter was solved," said Jemmott. Police are not certain if he is still in the country, even though upon his detention, he surrendered all traveling documents. Notices have been issued to all port of entries/exits within the country and the Canadian Consulate in the country has also been made aware of the situation.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun

San Pedro murder suspect caught in Ontario

Jordan Bacchus, 28, sought for murder in Central America, was nabbed along with a woman during a drug bust in Northern Ontario on Friday.

Greater Sudbury Police say it turns out the accused man is wanted for armed robbery by Toronto cops and has been sought by homicide investigators in Belize for nearly two years.

Bacchus is wanted by cops in Belize for the brutal killing of Melvin Almendarez in May 2016.

The San Pedro Sun has reported the 31-year-old local athlete was shot to death and then run over by a golf cart.

Bacchus was taken into custody at the time on drug charges but was released 48 hours later.

A week later investigators issued a warrant for his arrest in connection with the murder but by then it's believed Bacchus had fled the country and returned to Canada - even though he had surrendered his passport to cops.

"We were able to find clothing with blood at his residence; his golf cart had blood underneath as well," Henry Jemmott, deputy officer in charge of the San Pedro Police Sub-Formation, previously alleged to the San Pedro Sun.

Bacchus' hands also allegedly tested positive for gun powder residue at the time.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the Toronto Sun

Will Belize Send For Bacchus?

On Tuesday we told you about Canadian Jordan Bacchus. Bacchus was a person of interest in the murder of San Pedro star athlete Melvin Almendarez but fled to his home country of Canada before he could be detained. 

Bacchus who was also wanted in Canada was found and arrested last week Friday in Ontario Canada. Today, we asked the police about Bacchus's extradition to Belize after he has been processed in Canada.

Sahar Vasquez
"Will he be extradited to Belize to face murder charges?"

Wilfred Ferrufino - Insp, CIB
"We are aware that he is detained there and the file in regards to that incident that he is a suspect for is being forwarded to the DPP. There is no indication of any extradition at this point. He is a person of interest and we would want to ask him some questions. He is not necessarily wanted. Like I said the file is being prepared and it is being sent to the DPP. We will see what directive is given and move from there.”

The police continue to wait for the extradition files.

Channel 7

Can Jordan Bacchus Be Sent Back?

He’s wanted for murder in Belize, but can Canadian Jordan Bacchus be extradited to face charges here?

Bacchus is the main suspect in the murder of 31 year old San Pedro resident Melvin Almendarez  - which happened in May of 2016.

Bacchus fled Belize and was recently arrested in his home country of Canada, where he was wanted for a number of firearm charges. He was recently arrested during a drug search - but the question now is whether he can be extradited to face trial in Belize.  The Minister says he thinks an extradition agreement is in place

Hon. Wilfred Elrington - Minister of Home Affairs
"If we don't have an expedition treaty with Canada there will be way in which we could apply for them to send him back but I would want to think that we do have one, I want to think so."

Jules Vasquez
"Is it realistically a likelihood that we could get a fugitive from Belize law returned. I've never seen it happened."

Hon. Wilfred Elrington
"No but it is not usual for us to find ourselves in that position where we have people who commit infractions here go to abroad in the United States, I think this is kind of new but I don't think it's something that is beyond our capacity."

Channel 7

© Ambergris Caye Belize Message Board