A second man was charged for the August 13th Sandhill murder of 69 year old Ofelia Cruz. He is 20-year-old Camalote resident Julian Torres. He was arraigned yesterday in court before Magistrate Aretha Ford. 19 Year old Derry Bennett was the first to be charged in this murder in August. Now viewers will remember that the elderly woman was home alone when two men arrived on a scooter, stormed into her home and bludgeoned her to death. Police say the men went there to steal Cruz's husband's shotgun. Yesterday at the press briefing, police told us why it took almost two months to charge Torres for this senseless crime.
Hilberto Romero, Sr. SUPT of Police, Deputy HNCIB
"In reference to the murder of Ofelia Cruz which occurred on the 13th of August, 2019. Yesterday police arrested and charged Julian Torres for the crime of murder. Prior to that arrest a minor had been charged so this is the second person that has been charged for this murder. This murder occurred in the area of Sandhill."
"This person was wanted for this murder from then but he had eluded police. Several searches and checks were done for him in the Cayo area and it was not until this weekend that he was found."
Torres was denied bail and he and Bennett were remanded at the Belize Central Prison until
October 25th.
Email
Print