It made international headlines in December when American fugitive
Robert Snyder was captured in Belize. It was big news because he was the subject
of an international manhunt. The chess teacher is a convicted child molester
who fled the United States and relocated to Belize where he married a policewoman
and changed his name to Augustin Rios. But Belize was no refuge for Snyder who
was featured on America’s Most Wanted on November 28th. Less than a week
later a tipster led police to where he was. And that is why this week the host
and crew of the fox network’s show are in Belize. Keith Swift went behind
the scene.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The episode was shot on location in the Raccoon Street Police Station parking
lot which on Tuesday afternoon resembled a movie lot with a full camera crew,
the show’s Co-Executive Producer, a makeup artist for Assistant Commissioner
of Police Miguel Segura and of course - the host of America’s Most Wanted
– John Walsh.
John Walsh: Earlier tonight I told you about convicted child molester Robert
Snyder who fled and tried to hide out in paradise but he was caught in this
very station thanks to your tips.”
The episode is built around the capture of convicted child molester Robert
Snyder – a chess instructor who was hiding out in Belize.
Steve Katz, Co-Executive Producer – America’s Most Wanted
“A citizen here in Belize who was watching America’s Most Wanted
sent the information to us. The Belize Police cooperated with the American Police
and this guy Robert Snyder is now facing life in prison. He thought he could
hide here but due to the international cooperation of law enforcement and with
the help of our show he is now in jail.”
John Walsh, Host - America’s Most Wanted
“Assistant Police Commissioner Miguel Segura took down one of our
most dangerous fugitives, a convicted child molester named Robert Snyder that
we have been looking for, for a long time and that tip was generated by a 12
year old girl here. She watched the show and said that guy gives me the creeps,
he is the chess instructor at our school.”
Steve Katz,
“We want to tell our viewers the story of how that happened, to show 
them the kind of international manhunt that we take part in.”
The show’s co-executive producer is Steve Katz.
Steve Katz,
“We want our viewers to see that Belize has got many aspects to it
and it is a very beautiful place and people shouldn’t, if they hear that
there was an American fugitive captured here, shouldn’t think it is a
bad place. It is really a beautiful place that somebody was trying to take advantage
of.”
John Walsh,
“Lots of fugitives go to countries where English is spoken, they would
come to places like Belize and they think that the police work isn’t that
sophisticated but the opposite is true here. This was an example of tremendous
police work.”
His capture is also an example of the show’s global reach. It has been
on the air for 23 years and tips have led to the capture of more one thousand
fugitives. For Walsh – it isn’t a job – it is a crusade.
John Walsh,
“I really didn’t know if the show would work. I wasn’t
in television, I was approached by Fox in 1987 to host the first reality show 
in America but I am the father of a murdered child. My six year old son was
kidnapped and murdered 28 years ago and I thought it might be a good use of
television. I don’t think anybody dreamed the show would go this long,
that we would reach out to an international audience, but its been a very gratifying
experience to see how many of these horrible people caught because of the partnership
between the public, the police, and a TV show.
I think we’re effective, we will be on I hope as long as I can do
it and as long as the public watches. We caught more guys last year than we’ve
ever caught and we’re now seen in more countries than we’ve ever
been seen. I really this is a global community and it is really a gratifying
experience to see someone who destroyed someone’s life, who could have
the potential to hurt someone, this guy could have come here and tried to molest
young boys here in Belize, I am sure that is what he planned, it is very gratifying
– it keeps me motivated. We can make a difference.”
And Walsh says Belize made a difference when Snyder was taken off the street.
John Walsh,
“I think Belize should be very proud that they’ve captured so
many fugitives here. It sends a good message to other countries, the Central
American countries, that don’t be a haven for the bad guys, don’t
let the garbage come from other countries.”
Keith Swift,
“What can we expect to see when this show airs?”
John Walsh,
“Well I will be talking about Belize, shooting all over Belize, and
I am almost profiling some of the world’s most wanted. I hope they are
not in Belize but if they are, if one of them is here, I am sure he will get
caught by good people.”
The episode will air on February 27th.
The show will also film part of the Belize based episode from San Pedro.
John Walsh brought a crew of 8 and there are an additional 7 Belizeans who have
been hired. Again the America’s Most Wanted episode that was filmed in
Belize will air on the fox network on February 27th.
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