Stolen FFB Hilux Recovered in Calla Creek After Police Chase

A bold pre dawn heist in Belmopan has police chasing more than just a stolen pickup, it may have cracked open a wider operation tied to cross border trafficking. Just before four o’clock Saturday morning, masked men stormed the Football Federation of Belize compound, overpowered the lone security guard, grabbed the keys, and sped off in a white Toyota Hilux. Police across the west moved fast, set up checkpoints, and caught up with the vehicle near Calla Creek Bridge. One suspect is now in custody, two others are still on the run, and investigators believe this may be part of something much bigger. Assistant Superintendent Stacy Smith walks us through how it unfolded and what police are now uncovering.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“The investigation commenced on Saturday, 25th April, 2026, at around 3:40 AM when officers in Belmopan were advised of the theft of a white Toyota Hilux being the property of the Football Federation of Belize. The security guard reported that he was inside the booth at around that time when he was awakened by two masked male persons forcing their way into the booth. Upon making their entry into the booth, they are reported to have restrained the security guard, took a key belonging to the Hilux and eventually drove off with it. Upon learning of this information, the standard operating procedures were put into place because we are aware that when vehicles are stolen, they are done with a view to taking them across the border into Guatemala. So all of the policing efforts in the Western region as well as the operational units were mobilized at strategic locations. This proved favorable as the vehicle was spotted along Santa Rosa Road sometime around 3:55 AM, it was pursued, and that pursuit concluded near Calla Creek Bridge. Police have since detained one male person and are seeking two others as part of this ongoing investigation.”

 

Police say no one was found inside the vehicle, but with video footage now in hand, they are moving closer to wrapping up the case.

 

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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