Tamales Vendor Murdered in Bella Vista

A tamales vendor known as “Mr Pop” was found murdered in Bella Vista on Tuesday. His murder is the latest violent killing in the Toledo District’s largest village. His body was discovered in a drain with his bicycle and cooler beside him. Reports are that he had been stabbed several times.

The killing comes only days after 24-year-old Narjin Ceron was murdered in his home on Saturday, September 6. His partner was left critically injured while protecting their toddler.

Weeks before that, 40-year-old mechanic Franklin Enrique Alas was also stabbed to death during a dispute over stolen tools. On August 14, police arrested 40-year-old Santiago Alberto Trigueros, a laborer and mechanic, for the murder of Franklin.

Three seperate murders and one critical injury in less than a month have left Bella Vista residents fearful and angry.

Residents are urging authorities for better safety measures. One resident told News 5, “We need more security, more investigation, and in-depth investigations because if it’s not done, people will start seeing the police didn’t do anything or the investigation didn’t go anywhere and will start feeling like they can get away with anything.”