Just after one this morning Cayo Police responded to reports of gunshots being
fired in a neighbourhood in San Ignacio. When the cops arrived at the location
they observed a young man later identified as twenty two year old Bedalfo Chen.
Chen who was relieved of the weapon described as a nine milimeter pistol. According
to police, Bedalfo Chen was not trying to shoot anyone but was firing the weapon
wildly so he was accordingly charged and will spend the next four years behind
bars.
But as police delved further into the case their investigation also led them
to another incident that had transpired earlier that morning that now led police
to charge the owner of the weapon. That person has been identified as thirty
three year old Belarmino Quiroz, a Belize Defence Force soldier. Police say
when they questioned Quiroz he told the cops that earlier this morning just
after twelve he was accosted by three men who wore dark clothing. Quiroz went
on to explain that the men placed a gun to his side and then stole his firearm.
A crocus bag was placed over his head and both his hands and feet were bound.
Quiroz told police he was then taken to an undisclosed location and hit hard
in the stomach that left him unconscious. It was not until sometime later he
regained consciousness and managed to get away. But Belarmino Quiroz never reported
the kidnapping to police in which his own gun was stolen. Police became suspicious
and started to investigate Quiroz’s report.
Authorities discovered that Belarmino Quiroz had not only fabricated the report
that he had been kidnapped but police found out that Belarmino Quiroz had used
his own weapon to assault a female bartender. It is not certain if during this
incident that the gun was stolen. But the report is that Belarmino Quiroz was
drunk and at a bar when he got into an argument with the woman. Quiroz then
reportedly used his gun to assault the young lady.
Today the police arrested Belarmino Quiroz. He has been charged for aggravated
assault and mischievous act.