And over the weekend in Belize City, there was a troubling arson incident where three vehicles belonging to the Hotchandani family were lit on fire. It was a calculated case where the arsonists carefully planned out their arrival and exit plans but didn't account for surveillance cameras. Courtney Menzies has this story.
This is what was left after three arsonists torched three vehicles belonging to 75 year old Bob Hotchandani and 43 year old Sanjay Hotchandani. The vehicles were on Princess Margaret Drive and according to police, it was sometime before 5 on Sunday morning when they were lit on fire by three men who arrived on a boat.
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"Upon their arrival, they saw three vehicles engulfed in flames, an escalade, and audi and a chevy Silverado pickup truck. The fire department was called and the fire was extinguished. An investigation was carried out and it revealed that these three vehicles had been parked there from the night and investigations show that three persons came to the area, pour a flammable substance on the vehicle and lit them on fire. We have one person in custody in regards to this investigation."
Courtney Menzies:
"Any motive?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"We have not established any motive at this time, the investigation continues."
Courtney Menzies:
"Is the suspect cooperating?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"I cannot say at this time, he was brought into custody last night. Follow up work is being done at this time."
Courtney Menzies:
"Do police know if he has any relation or connection to the men who own the vehicles?"
ACP Hilberto Romero, OCED
"Not that I know of, no."
The men escaped the area on the boat, but not before being captured by surveillance cameras. It is this shot that led police to one of the alleged arsonists. Police are currently searching for the others.
The total value of the vehicles amounted to a few hundred thousand dollars. Two of them were comprehensively insured, while the other had third party insurance.
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