This past week, the San Pedro Town Council (SPTC) joined the long list of burglaries occurring in the downtown area. On Friday morning, SPTC employees arrived at work, only to discover that the front door’s latch had been removed. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the only thing missing was the council’s safe. Reports are that a security guard saw the burglars, about four of them, walk down the council’s step with the safe.

    Sergeant Irma Anderson told The San Pedro Sun that the police department was contacted for the theft of a golf cart in the council’s vicinity. According to Anderson, investigations revealed that the stolen golf cart was used to transport the safe to the San Juan Area, near the river’s edge.

    Further investigations led to the discovery of the open safe. Important documents and receipts were safely returned to the SPTC although approximately $3,000 in cash was still missing. On Sunday, police officers arrested and charged five individuals for the burglary; Alexander Edwards, 20; Andres Arana, 19; Gabriel Salazar, 19; William Nuñez, 19; and a 16-year-old minor. All said individuals remain in police custody until they appear in San Pedro Magistrate’s Court on Monday, July 25th, 2005.

    Although a safe might be the hardest thing to walk off with, it is not the first time it has been done. Over Monday night, on July 18th, 2005, Fox Business Services on Barrier Reef Drive got burglarized. The establishment located on the second floor of the Island Plaza got broken into and aside from $4,600 in cash, one cigarette, one mint; the only other thing missing was the safe. According to Michael Fox, the business owner, investigations revealed that one culprit entered through the building side ledge and opened the door. Once inside, he opened the back door for his friend. The friend had to climb on the neighbor’s roof and jump to back verandah to gain access to the back door.

    According to the owner the safe was fairly large; impossible for one person to carry, difficult for two. It was later discovered in a neighbor’s yard; although it was severely smashed it remained unopened.

    Other businesses and residences have been broken into, as well. Lily’s restaurant – all that was taken was Gatorade; Annie’s – all that was taken was leftover food; Mayor Elsa Paz’s verandah – all that was taken was a hammock and a golf cart charger. Speaking with local authorities, The San Pedro Sun found out that Mayor Paz has had a meeting with Eastern Division Commander Crispin Jeffries where he promised more patrols and more help. As of press time, The Sun’s telephone call to Mr. Jeffries remained unanswered.