Coast Guard Officer Arrested for Caye Caulker Robbery
A Belize Coast Guard officer is facing a criminal charge tonight, accused of helping four armed men carry out last week’s robbery on Caye Caulker. Police have charged thirty-three-year-old Anthony Neal with abetment to commit robbery after masked gunmen reportedly arrived by boat, held up a business owner and escaped with cash, liquor and personal belongings. Investigators say surveillance footage has provided crucial leads, but the four suspected robbers remain at large, including two Belize City men known to police. Authorities are now working to track them down and determine the officer’s alleged role in the brazen island heist.

Stacy Smith
ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer
“ As a consequence of the ongoing investigation into the robbery of an establishment in Caye Caulker, which occurred on twenty-sixth August twenty twenty-six at approximately ten forty-five PM, police have formally arrested and charged thirty-three-year-old Anthony Neal and the Belize Coast Guard officer for the crime of abetment to commit robbery. The business owner reported that on the aforementioned date and time, she was at her establishment when four masked persons who were armed entered that establishment and robbed her of a sum of money, as well as assorted liquor and other personal items. Police are seeking four individuals, two of whom are known to police and are from Belize City. These male persons arrived on board a boat and committed the robbery before departing via that mean. Several video footage have been retrieved and have proved useful in this ongoing investigation.”
Reporter
“Has the recently established post-war peace
Stacy Smith
“What I will say is that the officers were able to respond not too long after the incident happened, and they sought the assistance of the Coast Guard. However, due to mech-mechanical issues and tool, they were not able to facilitate such.”
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