BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 22, 2016–Beware! Robbers posing as police officers are on the prowl in the city.

On Saturday another gun was stolen by counterfeit cops, bringing to three the number of guns stolen recently from unsuspecting security guards.

Thelon Estherame, 32, a Haitian AAA security officer, reported to police that around 2:20 Saturday morning he was on duty at JL’s Quick Loan, located on Douglas Jones Street, along with his coworker, Hector Lauture, 31, another Haitian AAA Security Officer, when they were approached by men dressed as, police officers. One of the counterfeit cops pointed a firearm at them and the other asked if they had their firearms. The security guards told them that they did not have any guns, but the fake cops searched them anyhow and stole a company-issue Taurus .38 Special revolver with serial number VG25202 from Estherame.

The two bandits then ran down Douglas Jones Street and escaped into the surrounding area.

In an interview with Amandala today, Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Public Relations Officers of Precincts 3 and 4, said that the police are conducting a public awareness campaign and at the same time urging police officers to be professionals when dealing with the public so that when a counterfeit cop appears, he can easily be recognized. Yearwood said that there is now collaboration with the security companies in trying to stop guns being stolen from their security guards.

Police are urging security guards to be more alert when approached by persons claiming to be police officers, and for them to call 911 or 922 quickly.