Armed Men Hijack Businessman on Philip Goldson Highway

A businessman chased along the highway; bullets fired at his vehicle and armed men dragging him from behind the wheel. Police say that frightening sequence unfolded in broad daylight just outside Sandhill Village, in what appears to be a rare case of highway carjacking in Belize. The attackers escaped with the businessman’s vehicle, but police later recovered it along with the car reportedly used in the chase. Tonight, the gunmen remain at large as investigators try to determine whether this brazen attack signals a troubling new shift in criminal activity. ACP Hilberto Romero explains.

 

ACP Hilberto Romero, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“On Saturday, Sandeep Kumar reported that he was driving on the highway when he was followed by another vehicle and he heard gunshots. The vehicle went in front of him and they blocked his way. He then stopped his vehicle. Two male persons came out armed with firearms. They then hit him to the head with a firearm. They dragged him out of the vehicle and thereafter stole his vehicle and then drove off towards the direction of Belize City. Police responded to the report. A search was conducted by Maxboro where the two vehicles were located, the Honda vehicle and the suspect’s vehicle. Both vehicles have been processed and we are looking for two suspects. The suspects have fled from the area and were not found.”

 

Reporter

“The vehicle of the perpetrator , was it not Registered?”

 

ACP Hilberto Romero

“Yes, the vehicle has been identified. It belongs to a rental company in the Cayo District.”

 

The culprits are considered armed and dangerous. Citizens are encouraged to be vigilant and contact police if they notice any suspicious activities in their neighborhood.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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