Saturday morning is the busiest business day of the week at the A & R Center in Belize City. But, that didn't stop two teenaged robbers - who went into the store at 11:30 dressed up as employees, and then took the security guard hostage. They then went to the manager, also held him at gunpoint and demanded money. They got a bag with cash, but before the they could escape, they ran into police.
The lawless robbers weren't afraid to fire at the cops - shattering the store's glass door. And the cops also fired back on them - an exchange that made for tense moments on the busiest shopping day the week.
Very fortunately, no one was hurt
At a press conference today in Belmopan, the head of CIB told us how police handled it:....
ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB
"Just after 9:30, police were called to shots being fired within that vicinity. Prompt police response who were in the immediate area, they responded and upon entering the A and R entrance they were greeted by male persons firing shots at them. As a result, police who were in the area ask for assistance and other police mobile arrived in that area and they were able to manage the situation and thereafter the 2 male persons handed over themselves to police. What police gathered so far is that 2 male persons entered the shop and they held the cashier at gunpoint and demanded the cashier to hand over money. About $1,500 was handed over to the male persons and about exiting the entrance of the shopping ceter, police were almost about to enter the establishment and where the exchange of fires began."
Reporter
"At any point a hostage situation there?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"We understand that the security guard who was at the main entrance, he was held up as a cover up, covering for the 2 suspects that were being him - used as a shield."
Reporter
"Is there some sort of negotiations that goes on between the culprits and the police officers?"
ASP Alejandro Cowo
"Well the police have been trained several times in dealing with these incidents and recently there was a special training for some of the special units here at the academy where they would teach how to clear buildings and how to deal with this situation here and that is what they used exactly on Saturday."
Police recovered one 9 millimeter pistol with one round of ammunition at the scene - and have tied it to one of the robbers.
Today in court, two males were charged with robbery, 19 year old Alwin Castillo and a 17 year old minor.
Castillo, an unemployed of 7082 Pelican Street Extension, was also charged with 2 counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, possession of a firearm without a serial number, possession of a firearm without a gun license, possession of ammunition without a gun license and damage to property. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Police also retrieved $1,183 in cash from the botched robbery.
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