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But, this morning around 7:15, a team of police were exactly where they needed to be when a band of organized outlaws robbed several money changers at the Northern border. It turned into a highway shootout - where the cops caught the robbers. Courtney Weatherburne has the run down.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
It was just another day at the Northern border until a gang of 5 masked armed robbers emerged from this Ford Escape with handguns and an assault rifle.

They stormed after 7 money changers and snatched their cash bags. The men then dashed to their getaway vehicle and the driver raced off, leaving the terrified money changers on the pavement. The assailants probably could have gotten away, but they didn't count on an elite police mobile team that was parked at the border on what police say was an unrelated operation. The officers were on the ready and sprang into action.

ACP Marco Vidal, Commander of Operations
"A combination of the finest from the MIT, the GSU the CIB, the national CIB and the SPU and Corozal police were on an operation this morning, these officers were at the border."

"Our officers that were on the ground immediately opened fire at the vehicle as it was leaving the area and then boarded their police vehicle and set chase."

The robbers fired back and the high speed chase turned into a shootout on the highway. But, the police's firepower forced the robbers to stop on the side of the road between miles 90 and 91, just about a mile south of the border. The robbers emerged, fired more shots at the police then darted into the bushes.

Police followed behind and found the 4 wounded assailants. It really is a minor miracle that no one was killed in such a heavy crossfire where dozens of rounds were fired.

ACP Marco Vidal, Commander of Operations
"Four of the criminals received various degrees of injuries, the area was combed where the criminals ran. The officers were able to find a quantity of money, bags with money, they also retrieved a 9mm pistol and a 380 pistol and also retrieved was a .223 rifle with magazine and ammunition."

"As I said luckily none of our officers were injured in the process."

So since the officers were spared from injury, the focus now is to gather all the information about these robbers as well as compile the evidence against them.

ACP Marco Vidal, Commander of Operations
"The are Belizeans and from Corozal Town. Most of them are known criminals from the area."

Reporter:
"Is there anything to suggest that maybe other persons may be involved or may have assisted them to orchestrate this crime?"

ACP Marco Vidal, Commander of Operations
"Well there is a possibility, like I said the investigation is still ongoing at this time and the police are still putting the pieces together to ensure we have a proper case."

It doesn't seem like that will be a problem since the police were efficient in their response and captured the criminals pretty much red-handed in what can either be chalked up as a remarkable coincidence or incredible intelligence.

ACP Marco Vidal, Commander of Operations
"The department has extremely brave men and that go out there daily, relentlessly and selflessly to ensure they do the greater good in providing safety to our citizens."

As you heard, the robbers are common Corozal criminals. 4 of them are hospitalized and 1 is in a critical condition.

And, to clarify, Vidal indicated that 4 robbers exited the vehicle, and that 5 persons were detained. But, a close look at the surveillance at the video shows 5 persons exiting the vehicle, plus the driver makes it 6 assailants in total.

We have asked police to clarify, but they have not; so tonight, we must assume that one suspect is still at large.

Again, police say they did not have any prior intelligence that these thieves were planning this attack. Police say they recovered all the stolen money. Based on our information, police recovered $129,545 pesos - which is just over 14 thousand Belize dollars, plus $1,946 Belize dollars and $395 US dollars.

We will keep following this story.