Coast Guard Officer Detained After Brazen Vehicle Theft  

Two men are detained, one of them an officer of the Belize Coast Guard, after police responded to a brazen vehicle theft in Hattieville Village on Thursday night. Authorities report that shortly before 8 o’clock, two masked men, one carrying a firearm, forced their way into a resident’s home and demanded the keys to a brand-new 2026 Wingle pickup truck before driving off with the vehicle. Less than two hours later, police tracked down the stolen truck in western Belize, leading to an interception, a pursuit, and the arrest of two suspects, Coast Guard officer Sheffan Hemmans and Alberto Arriaza. Police say the operation also resulted in the discovery of ammunition allegedly found on the accused. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith explains what happened.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“He was at his residence when two masked male person, one of whom was armed with a firearm, entered his residence and demanded that he handed over the key for a black in color 2026 Wingle pickup truck. He complied with this request, and the male persons made off with the vehicle. Having been advised of this occurrence, the department standard operating procedures were activated, and this proved successful as at approximately 9:45 p.m., the operational team in Santa Rosa in Western Belize intercepted the black in color Wingle pickup truck and also observed at that time was another vehicle which sped off. The vehicle was pursued, and on board that vehicle was Mr. Hemmans, and a search of Mr. Hemmans additionally led to the discovery of fifty live rounds of point twenty-two LR ammunition. Consequently, Mr. Hemmans was additionally charged for kept ammunition without a gun license.”

 

According to a source, the stolen Wingle is property of the Belize Coast Guard.

 

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