Man Remanded After Riding Murder Victim’s Stolen Motorcycle

A Ladyville construction worker is behind bars tonight after police accused him of possessing a motorcycle stolen from the home of a man who was killed just days earlier. Twenty-nine-year-old Frank Young was arraigned in Belize City on a charge of handling stolen goods and remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October 6 after being denied bail. The charge stems from a reported burglary at the home of the late Shane “Shatta p” Vargas, who was murdered on July third. According to police, Vargas’ sister, Judith Westby, secured the house after his death and later discovered that a brand-new red Lifan motorcycle had been stolen. Westby told investigators that a neighbor alerted her after seeing Young riding the motorcycle. When she checked the property, she reportedly found signs of a break-in and realized the motorcycle was missing. Police say she later confronted Young after spotting him riding into the yard on the bike and recovered it. Investigators say Westby positively identified the motorcycle and provided a receipt matching its serial number. During his arraignment, Young initially pleaded guilty, telling the court he was only handling the motorcycle and had not stolen it. However, after learning a guilty plea would likely result in jail time, he changed his plea to not guilty. Despite the change, the court denied bail, noting that additional burglary charges could follow. Young was remanded to prison until his next court appearance in October.

 

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