In a stunning development that has rocked Belize’s law enforcement community, a serving Belize Coast Guard officer has been arrested and formally charged over his alleged role in a brazen armed robbery that took place on the popular island destination of Caye Caulker last week.
Thirty-three-year-old Anthony Neal faces a single count of abetment to commit robbery, after investigators linked him to the August 26 heist carried out by four masked gunmen. According to official details from the Belize Police Department, the attackers arrived at the targeted business via a small boat, confronted the owner on-site, and fled the scene with an undisclosed sum of cash, a stock of assorted liquor, and the victim’s personal belongings. The incident took place at approximately 10:45 p.m. local time.
Authorities confirmed that recovered surveillance footage from the area has yielded critical evidence that moved the investigation forward, leading them to Neal. However, as of August 31, 2026, all four of the armed suspects who directly carried out the robbery remain at large. Two of these fugitives are residents of Belize City and already have prior interactions with law enforcement, making them known to investigating officers.
In an official statement to local media, Acting Staff Officer Stacy Smith outlined the progress of the ongoing manhunt and investigation. She confirmed that first responders were dispatched to the scene rapidly after the robbery was reported, and police requested backup support from the Belize Coast Guard to intercept the escaping suspects. That assistance was ultimately not able to be deployed, however, due to unspecified mechanical issues with Coast Guard equipment.
Law enforcement teams have now stepped up efforts to track down the four fugitives, while investigators work to untangle the full extent of Neal’s alleged involvement in planning or facilitating the high-profile island heist. The case has drawn particular attention due to the accused’s position as a serving member of Belize’s coast guard, a force tasked with maritime security and law enforcement across the country’s island territories. This report is adapted from a transcript of an evening television news broadcast from Belize.