An alarming armed burglary in western Belize left a 66-year-old woman traumatized on Thursday morning, ending with one suspect in police custody and a second man still evading capture as authorities urge local residents to remain vigilant.
The violent incident unfolded in Cristo Rey Village, a small community located in Belize’s Cayo District. According to official statements from Assistant Superintendent of Police Stacy Smith, local law enforcement received an emergency 911 call at approximately 9:30 AM, reporting that an aggravated break-in was actively underway at a home on the village’s rural outskirts.
Witnesses told police the two attackers ambushed the elderly homeowner moments after she exited her private vehicle. The pair held her at gunpoint and forced her back into her residence, where they immediately began ransacking the property in search of valuables. Their robbery attempt was cut short when an unexpected vehicle approached the home, prompting the pair to flee the scene with only a single piece of the victim’s jewelry before law enforcement arrived.
When San Ignacio Police officers pulled up to the residence, they spotted the two men running from the property. A short foot pursuit ensued, leading to the arrest of one suspect. Officers also recovered critical evidence from the area: a loaded .22 caliber pistol, unused live ammunition, and the stolen piece of jewelry that was taken during the attack, which has since been returned to the homeowner.
In the wake of the incident, Smith emphasized that the quick response from law enforcement would not have been possible without sharp-eyed community members. “It is because of the community’s recognition of strange persons within their area that a call was made and police were able to intercede,” Smith explained. She went on to advise residents across the district to stay alert for emerging patterns of residential burglary, and to immediately report any unfamiliar people or suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to local law enforcement.
As of the latest update, the second suspected attacker remains at large. Police have not released additional details about the identities of the suspects or the ongoing manhunt as the investigation continues.