So, that's the human element to the Arson in Trio, but there is also a criminal aspect that's developing simultaneously. We spoke with Superintendent of Police Reymundo Reyes, the officer commanding the Police Intermediate Southern Formation. He and the investigator in the case were summoned to the Belmopan Police Headquarters to have meetings with their respective commanders about the status of the arson investigation. When we caught up to him this morning, we asked him about the collective frustration that the Trio villagers have with their handling of the case.
The villagers say that they have already passed on information to the police which they believe could expedite their investigation leading to arrests. Superintendent Reyes told us that police will crack the case, they just can't rush the process simply because the victims are anxious for justice:
Supt. Reymundo Reyes, OC - Police ISF
"The incident is an unfortunate incident where properties were destroyed at a premises which is in dispute apparently at the supreme court level. But the police is doing their utmost best in trying to obtain statements from the victims themselves, so in order to proceed with the investigation. We are following up on leads in respect to the vehicle that was mentioned by Mr. Chan as the vehicle being seen leaving the area where the damages was done. At this moment we are still do not have a name tag to that vehicle. But we intend to visit the office of the transport department here in Belmopan to see if we can be assisted with that information as to who the vehicle belongs to."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"We get the impression from the villagers that they appear a bit frustrated with police. They say that you all encountered these men and you all let them slip through your hands. Explain to us the circumstances at which you all encountered them shortly after the incident happened that Thursday night?"
Supt. Reymundo Reyes, OC - Police ISF
"At the time when the information was received by police, it was when police was making their way to the scene that a few yards from the southern highway, that is when police saw a grey Mahindra. But police never knew at the time that this is the vehicle or suspected vehicle to have been there at the premises or land where the building were destroyed. It was when the police arrived that people were interviewed and they mentioned that the persons who caused the damage were onboard a grey Mahindra and that's how police is trying to pinpoint whether it's the same vehicle that they saw close to the southern highway to the same one that went there and caused the damage. That is what we are trying to investigate at this moment."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Realistically are you all confident that you all can get to the bottom of this particular crime?"
Supt. Reymundo Reyes, OC - Police ISF
"We could. It will take time, but I believe that yes we could once we go through the proper steps and with the assistance of the victims themselves."
We're reliably informed that one of the alleged arsonists caught in the Belize District has already given a caution statements naming everyone who was involved in the arson - including a retired BDF Officer.
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