Last night, we told you about the distress of the Belize City businesswoman, Marta Ramirez. She'd been operating her snack shop at the corner of La Croix Boulevard and Balan Street for 9 years. But when she closed up on Tuesday evening, she returned several hours later to she found it burning.
As you will remember, she was sure that someone set the fire, and today police confirmed that they are on the verge of making an arrest for arson. Here's the spokesperson had to say at today's press briefing:
ASP Alejandro Cowo - OC, CIB Belize City
"Wednesday night, just about 2 in the morning, likewise, police were called out to a fire scene at number 50 corner La Croix Boulevard and Balan Street. Upon arrival, they observed a wooden structure, approximately 20 by 15 engulfed in flames. What police know is that the location was a fast food place, and the owner, Ms. Marta Ramirez, 46 years-old of that same address, mentioned that she had closed her fast food place, leaving everything in order. And sometime after 2, she was awaken by the dogs barking in the area. That is when she came out, and she observed that the business place was engulfed in flames. The entire house was destroyed, and also its contents inside of the business place. As a result, police conducted an investigation and detained 3 minors, who are presently in custody, and they will be charged for burglary, and one of them will be charged for arson."
Reporter
"Were they trying to break into the place, sir? Or was it simply to destroy her property?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"What understand is that the place was burglarized first. Items were stolen, and were taken to another area where police found some of the items. And before leaving, it was when one of the male persons lit the place up, which caused the fire."
We understand that the parents of these minors were giving police some difficulty. They refused to show up so that police can serve them with the charges, as part of the procedure for juvenile offenders.
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